My Soul,...My Choice
Chapter Five: Heart's Desire

When Hercules returned to the Academy that evening, he found Jason and the Jester lingering by the gates, waiting for him. They hadn't needed to be told that he'd gone off to find out what had happened to Iolaus. They'd have done the same if they'd had any hope of getting an answer from the gods. Jason sucked in a dismayed breath, and the Jester's eyes widened in alarm when they saw how slowly Hercules was moving, his shoulders slumped, as if dazed.

"By the gods, Hercules, what have you learned?" Jason asked, reaching out to grab the demigod's arm when, so distracted he hadn't noticed them, it had appeared as if he might just walk right past them.

Startled, Hercules looked up, his expression unreadable in the dim light cast by the flickering torches on the wall at the entrance to the Academy, his eyes shadowed. Recognizing Jason, he shook his head a little, as if trying to clear it, and looked around, seeing the Jester�but Iolaus was no where in sight. He sighed, wondering how he was going to get Iolaus to pay attention to this new danger.

"Hercules?" Jason pressed when the demigod didn't answer, feeling his anxiety grow.

Swallowing, Hercules looked back at his old friend. "He has to stop using so much of his energy. If he keeps doing what he's been doing�he'll just�be gone. Completely�not to the Other Side. Just�gone."

The Jester looked stricken as he gazed up at the demigod, and then his gaze fell to the ground, trying to take in the magnitude of what Hercules had just told them. Iolaus was spending his soul in his efforts to intervene in the mortal world, spending at a rate that he'd have nothing left�be nothing but a memory.

Jason paled, having to swallow the bile that had risen to the back of his throat. It was bad enough not being able to see Iolaus, or hear him, but at least he knew his friend was there. Looking away, out into the dark countryside, he understood why Hercules looked so devastated. This would be a death more final than the simple loss of the brief span of mortal life. Complete, irrevocable�gone, like the wisps of mist burned away by the sun, scattered by a morning wind.

Rubbing his forehead, Jason wondered how likely it would be that Iolaus would accept this new information quietly and change his ways. He had skills now, skills he'd worked hard to acquire. Skills he took pride and pleasure in. Skills he could use to still help others, to make a difference in this world. To be more than a wraith, silent and unseen. Would he hesitate to use them to help someone in desperate need to simply save his own existence? Had he ever hesitated to use his life at the risk of its loss? Jason pressed his eyes closed, his grip on Hercules' arm tightening.

"You have to tell him, Hercules, you have to make him understand�" Jason murmured, his voice hoarse.

Hercules' gaze shifted to the horizon as he nodded almost imperceptibly, the shadow of a weary, sad twist to his lips as he replied, his voice tight, "I know�but will knowing, understanding be enough to make him put himself first�gods, for once, first and not last?" Turning back to Jason, his eyes glittering a little in the torchlight, he rasped, "You know him, Jason�what do you think? How long before he spends everything he has left? How long before I lose him forever?"

Jason couldn't meet those eyes, couldn't face the inutterable anguish that pooled within them. Shaking his head, he threw a supporting arm around the demigod's shoulder and drew him into the Academy grounds, heading toward their quarters, the Jester following silently behind them.

It was early the next morning, when Hercules left his sleepless bed to prowl the precincts of the Academy that he came upon his partner, sitting atop the wall, staring out across the valley and its winding river to the forests beyond. Hearing his friend's approach, Iolaus turned, grinning brightly, obviously back to feeling his old self, and called out cheerfully, "Well, you're up early!"

"Uh huh," Hercules replied, running his fingers through his hair, as he looked up at his buddy. "You look like you're doing a lot better today."

"Yep," Iolaus nodded, but his grin had faded a little as he studied the demigod. Hercules looked washed out, like he hadn't slept a wink�worried and uncertain. Feeling a twinge of regret, suspecting he was the cause for the anxiety he could sense in his friend, Iolaus hastened to reassure him, "Told you these spells or whatever they are pass off. Just takes a little time."

Hercules nodded vaguely as he looked away through the gates. "Iolaus�let's take a walk," he suggested, his voice tight.

'Uh oh,' thought Iolaus, even as he called out, "Sure," and hopped down from the wall to land nimbly on his feet. 'Herc really is still worried about yesterday,' he reflected with a mental sigh. 'Here comes the 'I don't think you should do this stuff anymore,' speech.'

The demigod didn't say anything as they ambled across the fields, still damp with dew, until they came to an ancient half crumbled stone wall, where he sat, still silent, still wondering how to say this so that Iolaus would listen, really listen, to him.

Iolaus stood a few feet away, studying him, waiting for what he was sure was coming.

Finally, Hercules sighed and looked over at his friend. "Iolaus, yesterday�"

"I knew it!" Iolaus cut him off. "I knew you were still bothered by that! Herc�it's alright. Don't worry so much."

Hercules raised a hand to stem the flow of words, his face strained. "Just listen for a minute, okay?" he asked.

Rolling his eyes, Iolaus finally nodded and move to sit down on the stone wall. "Okay, I'm listening," he said, trying to be patient.

Looking away from his friend, Hercules leaned forward, his elbows on his thighs, his fingers knit together, his head down. "I asked Hades to explain what�what happened to you that caused you to collapse like that," he began. Iolaus straightened a little, wondering what the god had said to get Hercules so worked up.

"And?" he prompted, curious.

Sitting back, his hands moving to grip the edges of the wall beside him, Hercules turned to face his best friend, his expression somber, contained, but fear flickered in his eyes as he responded, "He said if you don't stop, you'll use all the energy you have left and you will�fade to nothing."

Iolaus frowned at that, annoyed, as he protested, "He promised he wouldn't take me back to the Other Side�"

Lifting a hand, in gesture that curiously resembled a plea for understanding, Hercules replied hoarsely, "Not the Other Side�that's barred to you. He really means 'nothing', Iolaus. There will be literally nothing of you left, anywhere."

"Oh," the soul replied, a little blankly, as he absorbed the information. Looking away, Iolaus swallowed, his throat suddenly feeling very dry, though he knew it was only an illusion.

"Yeah," breathed the demigod, still watching his partner. "Iolaus�I know how important it's been to you, to be able to intervene, do something to make a difference�but, it has to stop."

Iolaus went perfectly still for a moment, then looked around, rolling his shoulders as if suddenly stiff, as if he felt bindings being lashed around him�and then he was up, pacing, needing to move. Turning to face Hercules, he replied, his own voice strained now, "What? I'm just supposed to 'hang around', watch�do nothing? Be nothing?"

"'Nothing' is exactly what you'll be if you keep doing what you've been doing!" Hercules replied, surging to his feet, his anxiety building, his voice rising with a note of desperation. "Dammit, Iolaus�you are not 'nothing' now. Right now, you are here, I can see you, hear you, know you're with me�"

Breaking his gaze away from Hercules, Iolaus stuffed his thumbs into his belt, standing with his shoulders a little hunched, his head turned away. "So�I'll just be your invisible buddy, someone to talk to when there's nobody else around," he muttered, his voice thick with anger and bitterness.

"No, that's not�Iolaus�isn't that why you came back? To be here, with me?" Hercules asked, feeling the desperation grow in his chest. Iolaus wasn't going to stop�oh gods�

Looking back at his best friend, his own face now bleak, Iolaus replied tightly, "Yes, it is�but not long ago, you could have died because I couldn't do anything to help�Herc, I want to do more than just be here. I need to know I can help when you need me to�"

"You do help," the demigod insisted, his voice shaking with sincerity, "You keep me sane! I�you know what happened when�what am I supposed to do if you push so hard that I lose everything that means anything�." His voice cracked, and he looked away, blinking against the moisture that had flooded his eyes.

His face etched by sorrow, Iolaus closed his eyes as he turned away from the pain he could see in his friend, the fear, unable to bear it. But�how could he just stand aside, an observer in every sense? How could he not use what he'd learned if it was needed? Bowing his head, he remembered how much Hercules had suffered in the past year, knowing that would be nothing compared to what would happen if Hades was right. He wondered how could he do that to Hercules�leave him alone, leave his best friend to pay the cost of his pride, his refusal to accept his soul's limits to the point where he utterly destroyed himself. Did he want that? No�Herc was right. He was here because he wanted to be with the demigod, because he knew Hercules needed him. But, gods�to do nothing! To be useless! How could he stand that?

Finally, Iolaus murmured into the heavy silence, "All right, Herc�I'll try."

But the demigod shook his head, swallowing the lump in his throat, as he replied hoarsely, "'Try' isn't good enough, not this time. Iolaus, I need you to promise me that you won't risk everything again. I need you to promise on my life, since yours doesn't seem to mean much to you, on my life, promise me you'll stop pushing the limits, stop using yourself up."

Iolaus turned to gaze into his friend's eyes seeing the soul deep fear and the desperate hope that he would agree. For Hercules�he had to promise or Herc would never let this go. Would never know peace. Feeling trapped, he replied softly, "Okay, Herc�on your life�I promise."

Hercules' eyes closed as he sighed with profound relief, the tension melting out of his rigid muscles, easing from his chest as he whispered, "Thank you."

Iolaus gazed at his best friend with compassion, trying to hold onto the realization that Hercules cared so deeply about what happened to him, to his soul�but looking away, he just felt empty. He'd promised to do nothing�be nothing. Locked into a useless existence for all of eternity. Pressing his lips together, straightening his back, he reminded himself of those first few hours and days, when simply being here had held meaning�being in the world, being with Herc�when it had been enough. Iolaus told himself firmly that it still could be enough�would have to be enough.

"Come on, Herc, we'd best head back. The others will be wondering where you wandered off to," Iolaus said, trying to keep his voice level and light, as if everything was just fine�as if he was as happy about all this as was his best friend.

"Right," Hercules replied, smiling at him with evident relief. "I�well, I told Jason and your twin last night what Hades had said. Made them as sick as it made me to think of what could happen to you. They'll want to know that it's alright�that you've promised not to push the limits again."

Crooking a half-smile at his buddy, Iolaus nodded and turned back toward the Academy. It was nice to know they cared, worried about him. But�could any of them imagine what they were asking of him? Did they have any inkling of how hard this was going to be�how worthless he was going to feel the first time he willfully held himself back from doing what he knew he could do, from saving someone innocent, just to save himself? Ruefully, he guessed they must have had some sense of it�why else would Hercules have demanded such a promise?

Love can be a kind of prison, used to bend one will to another, to constrain the actions of one for the good of the other, for all the best reasons, he reflected. His offer to try to live within its walls, to see if he could stand it without going crazy hadn't been enough. By making the promise, he had just knowingly locked himself inside�and thrown away the key.

Hades waved a hand to close the window he'd opened on the world of mortals. "This isn't going to work," he reflected, as he turned to regard his brother. Iolaus would grow increasingly miserable, which would make Hercules miserable, which would lead to Hercules retracting his request for the promise, which would allow Iolaus to over-extend himself into nothingness, which would drive Hercules over the edge�and that would make Zeus miserable. And, that wasn't a prospect Hades wanted to think about.

Sometimes, it was Tartarus to be a god and be able to so easily read the future's probabilities.

Zeus stood with his arms crossed, his brow furrowed in thought. "No�it's not, not for long anyway." Sighing, he shook his head as he turned his gaze on Hades, "You've created a fine mess, you do know that, don't you?"

His face tight with frustration, the God of the Underworld protested, "I didn't plan it�it wasn't intentional!"

"No�but by barring him from Elysium, we lose the option of just pulling him back here for his own good. Hercules might not like it, but now that he knows the alternative, he'd visit often and learn to live with it," Zeus replied darkly, not pleased that this particular problem just wouldn't go away.

"Would it have better if I'd just let Dahok have him?" Hades pushed back, crossing his arms as he glared at his brother.

Shaking his head wearily, Zeus acknowledged, "No�it just would have led to the same place only sooner."

Nodding, Hades noted the point he'd scored his own favour. He might have screwed up, but this situation, however messy, was better than the alternative. "So�what are we going to do about it?"

Annoyance flashed across Zeus' face at the 'we'. Hades had created this dilemma, it was his responsibility to sort it out. But, clearly his brother needed to be pointed in the right direction. "'We' are going to do very little, and be seen to do even less. Neither of us need all of Olympus knowing that we've involved ourselves in mortal affairs. I have an idea, though it has its risks, but it's up to you whether you put it into motion."

His brow quirking with interest, Hades pursed his lips and nodded. "All right�let's hear it."

Over the next two days, Hercules saw very little of Iolaus as the soul sought the solace of the forests during the day and the stables at night, needing to be away from people, needing time to think about what his existence now meant�about the box he was now in. Ironically, he found he felt more comfortable around the animals�they could at least see and hear him. He existed for them, and that brought a measure of comfort, of affirmation that he really was there, and wasn't just a figment of Hercules' imagination. In the stables, the horses would flick their ears at him, and whinny softly, their eyes warm and welcoming when they saw him saunter in. And, in the forests, the animals seemed to sense he was no threat to them, deer edging close, squirrels and rabbits tumbling playfully at his feet. He wondered how it was that they could see him, respond to his voice, the tone if not the words. He wondered if it had something to do with innocence� and if very, very young children might not also be able to sense his presence. The next time he saw a baby, he'd have to see if he could make the child laugh.

When he was around the others, Hercules noticed his air of dejection, as if the brightness had gone out of the world for Iolaus, and he didn't know what to do about it. He found himself hoping for a distraction� but a safe one. Sighing, he wished there was another way�he hated to see Iolaus looking so bravely miserable.

The royal messenger came two days later with the response to Jason's offer to Iphicles. The King of Corinth agreed to purchase the weaponry, at a very gracious price. The ex-king smiled in satisfaction and approval of Iph's generosity. It would be more than enough to meet the needs for supplies, to conduct the repairs and to leave a tidy sum remaining for the future. His son-in-law was a good man.

They loaded up a wagon and the next morning, Hercules and Iolaus climbed up to take the implements of war to Corinth. Hercules wasn't all that happy about transporting weapons, would have destroyed them all if it had been left to him, but he was the one who had put Jason in charge, and now he had to live with it.

Jason looked up at the two of them, Hercules resigned, Iolaus quietly looking forward to seeing more of this strange world, and grinned. "Have a good trip and I'll see you back in a couple of days. Take your time�enjoy the visit with Iph. And�thank him for me, Hercules. I appreciate his generosity."

"I'll do that," Hercules replied, finding a smile of his own. It would be good to see Iph and he knew the shy Iolaus was actually looking forward to the trip. It was great to see the man beginning to relax, to find his balance here.

They rolled into the large city around midafternoon, Iolaus' eyes wide at the evident prosperity and atmosphere of peace. The narrow streets thronged with people going about their business, calling cheerfully to acquaintances, children scampering through the crowds, laughing in their play. The buildings were brightly painted, and, as they drove past the market square, Iolaus could see goods of all kinds were on display�good quality and in abundance. Craftsmen hawked their wares, the scent of foods from the braziers filled the air, flags flapped in the light breeze�he'd never seen such a place of lively wellbeing.

Walking alongside the wagon, Iolaus looked up and enjoyed the expression of near rapture on his twin's face. Salmoneus had made quick work of his scroll and it was already a best-seller apparently, given the number of people who recognized Hercules and realized who his companion must be, calling out a warm "Welcome to our world!" to Iolaus as they drove by. Startled, shy�and very, very pleased, Iolaus blushed and bobbed his head, waving back, sometimes even having the temerity to call back a "Thank you! It's a wonderful world!"

Hercules, too, was pleased at the glow of happiness on his companion's face. He was going to be all right.

As they reached the branch in the thoroughfare that would lead either to the palace or to the docks, Iolaus called up, "Hey, Herc�we should take a short detour and show our friend here the harbour�it'll blow him away!"

Nodding, Hercules turned to regard the other Iolaus and thought a few minutes spent in sightseeing wouldn't hurt. Pulling the reins to the right, he guided the team toward the wharf.

Iolaus was speechless as they came over the rise and he gazed out over the bustling harbour of Corinth. It looked as though hundreds of ships, merchantmen and military, were anchored in the bay, while smaller craft, fishing skiffs and fast transport ships plied to and from the docks, brightly coloured sails full in the wind, the sea glittering silver and turquoise, the sky wide and open with only a few puffy clouds. He could smell the clean brine in the air, and hear the call of the birds, gulls and albatross, heron and pelicans, and others he couldn't name, dipping and weaving in the air.

The dock accommodated a full fifty ships at a time, and all the slips were full, the wharf teeming with dockworkers, passengers, sailors, merchants, tradesmen, sightseers, fishers, messengers, rich, poor, well dressed and rags, open, excited faces, and others closed, watchful�some speculative. The noise of barrows creaking and horses stamping, of men calling and shouting directions and greetings, muttered oaths and cheerful teasing. Barrels piled high, with crates and boxes everywhere, casks of wine, large fired clay vessels of oil, stockpiles of grain, warehouses of stored goods�all open. All at peace. It was marvelous! Unimaginable for one who had only known terror and the miserly control of wealth and commerce.

Hercules stayed with the wagonload of weapons when it got too congested to go further, while the two Iolausii wandered along the docks, seeing the sights. They'd just come alongside a large privateer when a heavy voice called out for all to hear, "Greetings to all of you good folk here! Today is a glorious day! My wedding day! Come, see, my beautiful bride and wish us well�congratulate me on my good fortune!"

Though the words were fullsome, the voice was grating�proud and malicious. The Jester had heard tones like that before�good words twisted by the foulness of the being who uttered them. He froze and turned to regard the source, if only to be certain of avoiding the speaker in the future. His invisible twin paused at his side, curious to see what all the shouting was about.

They both saw her at the same time, identical faces registering their awed appreciation of her delicate beauty�long blond tresses, wide, clear blue eyes�and both frowned when they read fear and despair in those eyes. The burly, sleazy looking man at her side gripped her arm tightly, holding her close�tightly enough to leave bruises. Her eyes scanned the crowd hopelessly, knowing there was no one there who'd care about her plight, no one to turn to for rescue. She'd brought this on by her own foolish actions and somehow, she'd have to live with it�somehow, though it would drive her mad.

Her gaze alighted on the golden twins, eyes as blue as her own and she caught her breath at their beauty. Frowning, she thought them somehow familiar, but was oddly disconcerted to see two of them. She had a nagging sensation that there should only be one. Though identical, they dressed differently� and there were other differences between them though she had to concentrate to figure out what they were. One seemed confident�and there�he'd just winked at her, though it was clear from his expression he was concerned about her. How strange. That a stranger would notice and care. The other gazed at her with something that looked like awe, a yearning in his eyes that called to her soul. She found herself unconsciously reaching out a hand toward him�but then was pulled roughly back to the world by her 'fiance', who'd not been pleased to see her reaching out to that blond-haired runt on the dock.

Still, she couldn't tear her eyes away from those that held her own and she felt a curious longing in return. Her lips parted, as if she might call out to him, but the man with her turned her around, sharply, and shoved her back into the darkness of the cabin. He shot a look of murderous promise at the man on the dock, then he too disappeared from sight.

The Jester was staggered. In all his life, he'd never seen anyone so beautiful, been drawn to another so profoundly. He'd felt an almost painful recognition, like a burning knife thrust through his heart, or a bolt of lightning from the sky, that left him breathless. But, more than anything else, he was deeply frightened for her�he knew the look he'd seen in her eyes. Hopeless horror. Helpless despair. Trapped�abused. "I have to save her," he breathed, not realizing he'd spoken aloud.

The soul beside him was also shaken, though not quite for the same reasons. Though he, too, was deeply concerned about the young woman and recognized coercion when he saw it�there was something else. He'd winked at her almost unconsciously, a reflexive instinct to flirt and reassure at the same time, to let her know she wasn't completely abandoned, before he realized he was invisible to her. But�she'd registered it, recognized it�saw him!

This was no ordinary woman�and it was clearly no marriage for love. Something was badly wrong here, and if a guy could control a woman who was more than mortal, then he had some mystical power over her and that couldn't be good, either for her or for the rest of the world. When Iolaus heard his twin breathe out his declaration, he nodded tightly, murmuring, "The sooner the better."

Of one accord, though they had no way to communicate, they turned to head back to Hercules.

A few minutes later, the Jester was almost babbling out the story of what they'd seen, desperate to make Hercules understand that they had to save her. A little bemused, overwhelmed by the passionate urgency in the normally diffident man, the demigod looked to his buddy to make some sense of what he was hearing.

"He's right, Herc, we have to do something to help her. But, there's more�she's not mortal, at least not an ordinary mortal. She could see me."

"What?" the demigod exclaimed, his head lifting to look down the busy dock toward the privateer. "See you? But�that's not possible�unless�."

"Unless she's a goddess, or demigoddess. Yeah, I know. Something smells, Herc�and it's not the fish," Iolaus replied grimly.

His counterpart looked from the demigod to the empty space beside him, knowing Iolaus had just shared momentous information�and found he didn't really care what it was so long as it made Hercules help him. Seeing the concerned, engaged look on the demigod's face, he relaxed marginally. Hercules would help. Together, they'd save her from that horrible man who had held her so tightly�save her from a marriage she clearly didn't want.

"Wait here," Hercules directed as he headed down along the dock to get more information about who owned the privateer and the wedding that was supposedly to take place sometime later that day.

It didn't take him long to find out what he needed to know. "Okay," he said briskly on his return, "here it is. The guy's name is Lysocka and he's rumoured to be a pirate, known for his mean streak and his ambition. Nobody knows who the girl is, only that they've never seen her before and that he refers to her as his 'prize'. The wedding is scheduled for sunset."

"What are we going to do," asked the Jester, wringing his hands unconsciously.

"First, we're going to get rid of these weapons," Hercules replied, adding quickly when he saw the Jester was about to protest, "It's alright, there's plenty of time. It's too dangerous to just leave them here untended on the dock. Besides, I saw one of his sentries watching you. They've spotted your interest in this and it's best if they think we've left. I'll explain on the way what we'll do when we get back. C'mon."

The two men climbed up onto the wagon and, as he took the reins, Hercules said to his partner, "Iolaus� you wait here and keep watch�see what else you can overhear about what's going on. We'll be back in a couple of hours."

Nodding, Iolaus turned to stride back down along the dock toward the privateer. 'Well, at least eavesdropping seems to be still on the 'can do' list,' he thought ruefully. Better than nothing.

But, then he paused and started to smile. If she could see him, then maybe she could hear him, too.

Iolaus grinned insouciantly at the heavily armed sentries guarding the vessel as he strolled past and onto the ship. Heading straight to the upper deck, he entered the cabin into which the pirate and the girl had disappeared earlier. The fact that the door was locked and barred didn't slow him down a bit.

Nautica had been pacing the small chamber, too over-wrought to sit quietly and wait for her fate. She was angry at being held captive, frightened by the prospect of being married to that disgusting oaf, utterly desolate at the risks she'd caused her people�and she couldn't stop thinking about those blue eyes. They haunted her, pushing all else aside. So, when she turned to pace back toward the door and saw those blue eyes, or ones very like them, gazing at her, she jumped and gasped, a hand coming to cover her mouth to hold back a scream of surprise.

Iolaus had his hand up, to reassure her as he whispered, "Shhh! They can't hear me, but they'll hear you if you call out."

"How did you get in here?" she asked, elated to think that rescue might be at hand. "And why can't they hear you?"

"Uh�well, I'm a ghost. They can't see me, either," Iolaus explained with a quizzical expression. "My name is Iolaus and I'm here to figure out how we can get you away from here."

Too much information, too many reactions, crowded into her mind for her to respond sensibly for a moment. "Iolaus? Ghost?" she stammered, as memories cascaded of a half drowned youth who'd tried to save her younger brother years ago�Hercules' friend. She remembered hearing he'd been killed by some demon in another land and had been saddened by the news. Though she'd never actually spoken to him, as he'd been unconscious the whole time she'd been near him, she had saved his life and had held a childish fantasy of one day meeting him again. "There were two of you. I saw�."

Iolaus nodded, "Uh huh, he's my twin, well sort of, look it's a little hard to explain right now. Who are you?"

"Nautica," she replied, "I'm Nautica, Poseidon's daughter."

"Oh boy," Iolaus murmured, unable to keep himself from looking at her decidedly shapely legs. She caught his questioning look and despite the gravity of the situation, grinned wickedly, "Are they alright? I usually have a tail, and well, I wasn't sure I'd gotten them the way they should be when I transformed�."

"Oh�they're fine�great, actually. Nautica? The one who saved my life, right?" he clarified, dragging his eyes back to hers. "I never got a chance to thank you."

She shrugged. It had been a long time ago, an adventure really. The first time she'd had contact with any being outside her own watery world. "You were trying to help my brother�makes us even."

Iolaus had been checking out the chamber, looking for other entries or exits, but there was nothing, not so much as a window. "How did you fall into this guy's clutches?" he asked.

Her face fell and she turned away to sit on the berth. "It was my own fault. I�well, I was tired of the same old thing back home, it was all so�boring and predictable. Then, Poppa decided to do something about it�he was going to marry me to a squid! Well, maybe not a squid, but he might as well have been. That's not what I wanted! I wanted to explore�come to this world, get to see what it was like. But Poppa wouldn't hear of it." She sighed. "So, I thought I'd make him listen, make him give me permission. I�" she hesitated, then blurted it out, "I took the Trident, to bargain with him."

"THE Trident?" Iolaus stammered. "The one that controls the winds and seas, the storms and all the creatures under the waves?"

"Yeah," she murmured, flushing with shame. "I'd brought it to the surface, thinking if I made my stand on the shore, I'd be halfway to what I wanted when Poppa came after me, and I could trade the Trident for his permission to explore. Then, I saw the shadow of the ship above me and I thought I could hitch a ride�you know, get out of the water before my father caught up with me. By the time I surfaced, and realized it was a pirate ship, it was too late to get away. I'd already transformed to this shape�and, the pirates spotted me in the water, captured me�they threw a net over me, hauling me and the Trident onto this ship."

"Where is the Trident now?" Iolaus asked, his eyes again raking the cabin.

"Lysocka has it, the guy who wants to marry me�in his cabin just under this one," she replied miserably. "He plans to use it to rule the seas�and use me to keep Poppa from fighting him for it."

Biting his lip, standing with his hands on his hips, Iolaus gazed absently at her as he thought about the mess she'd created. "Okay," he nodded, "we'll just have to get the Trident as well as you off this ship. How hard can that be?"

"Lysocka has more than forty men, all of them well armed and vicious fighters on this ship�how can you help me, let alone get the Trident back?" she asked, discouraged.

Iolaus grinned as he replied, "I have Hercules."

By the time Hercules hauled in the reins back at the dock, his companion was in a lather of impatience and nearly frenzied with worry about the girl on the ship. Iolaus was waiting for them, and he cast a pointed glance at the sun, which had sunk perilously low in the west as Hercules pulled up and the two men leapt down from the wagon. "I know, I know," the demigod replied to the unspoken criticism, "we got a little delayed�and I took the time to send a message to Iph, asking for back up in case we need it."

"So long as you're here now," Iolaus cut in. "Look, I found out she's Nautica and the pirate, Lysocka, has the Trident on that ship. He plans to be the new King of the Seas."

"Great," muttered Hercules as they hurried down along the dock. "Where on the ship?"

As they came alongside, and pushed their way through the curious throng who had gathered to see the much heralded wedding, Iolaus pointed out the cabin on the main deck. His counterpart was fairly twitching with impatience and anxiety. Unable to hear the conversation between Hercules and the spirit, he had no idea what was going on or what they were going to do to save that girl.

The wedding party, such as it was, had already gathered, the groom hauling the bride down to the main deck, a priest from Aphrodite's nearby temple having just been hustled aboard. The guests, forty or so surly sailors, had definitely arrived, but then they'd been there to begin with. The main deck of the ship was below the level of the dock, allowing the heroes, and the rest of the spectators, an excellent view of the beginning of the ceremony.

Turning to Hercules, his eyes wide with dismay, the Jester urged, "We have to stop this! What are we going to do?"

Hercules looked around the vessel, the dock, the armed sailors, the crowd and then down at the Jester. "Follow my lead�by the way, her name is Nautica."

"What?" the Jester gaped, wondering what in the world Hercules expected him to do�follow his lead? What lead? Where?

The demigod pushed his way to the front of the crowd, and strode down the gangplank just as the priest began to intone the vows. "Wait," the Son of Zeus called out, drawing the attention of all assembled there.

Lysocka spluttered, furious, as he wheeled on the man who had just so rudely interrupted his wedding, "Who in Tartarus do you think you are?" he demanded, waving at his men to remove the intruder.

"Hercules," the demigod replied�and the crowd gasped, leaning forward eagerly. This show had just started to get very interesting. "You can't marry her�she's already married," he continued, gesturing to Nautica.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Lysocka shouted back, moving to grip her arm firmly. "And I suppose you're claiming that she's your wife," he continued, sarcastically.

"Uh uh," Hercules shook his head as he turned to wave at the Jester who was standing on the dock end of the gangplank. "That's her husband and he's been searching for her ever since you kidnapped her, haven't you, Iolaus?"

"Um�yeah!" the Jester called out, trying to sound brave, his voice wavering a little. "That's my wife, Nautica�I�I love her and I want her back!"

Hercules shrugged at the crowd, as if to say, 'well, there you have it,' then turned to approach the 'happy couple'. Gripping Lysocka's wrist, forcing him to release his hold on Nautica, Hercules murmured, "Go to your husband�and get away from here."

She didn't need to be told twice. Whirling around, she dashed up the gangplank and threw herself into Iolaus' arms, then pulled at him, dragging him back through the crowd, racing along the dock away from the town.

Handicapped by the watching crowd, who cheered the reunion of the estranged couple and immediately closed ranks behind them, blocking the sailors who had tried to follow her, Lysocka lifted fury-filled eyes as he snarled, "You'll pay for this."

Retaining his vice-like grip on the man's sword arm, Hercules scanned the crowd as he replied, "Oh, I don't think that's the way this is going to go." There had to be more than a hundred observers who'd come to see the show and partake of the celebratory meal Lysocka had advertised all throughout the day. They could have cared less about seeing a wedding, virtually all of them unsentimental and minimally romantic dock workers, craftsmen, tradesmen, sailors of other vessels�but the offer of free food was not something to be passed up. In one way or another, all of these people made their living from the sea, and paid homage to Poseidon. They were sturdy, straightforward people who wouldn't take to having their livelihood threatened.

Calling out, Hercules informed them, "This man, Lysocka, is a thief! He has taken possession of Poseidon's Trident for his own purposes." A low growl from the crowd greeted his words. "Will you risk Poseidon's fury? Will you risk the fish disappearing from the sea, or having the seas frozen to ice? Or will you help me recover what belongs to Poseidon?"

There was a frozen moment of stunned silence, and then with a roar of fury the gathered throng pulled knives and cudgels from about their persons and thronged onto the ship, some pouring down the gangplank, others taking the simple expedient of leaping from the dock onto the deck below, pulling down Lysocka's startled sailors as they landed. The brawl was short and sharp, the pirates fighting back, but many only half-heartedly as they, too, feared Poseidon's wrath. Hercules had hauled Lysocka toward the cabin over the stern, kicked down the door of the cabin and shoving the pirate toward two capable looking dockworkers, he strode in.

The Trident was propped unceremoniously in a corner, its golden luminescence filling the dark space with a soft, almost living light. Hercules grabbed it, surprised to find how heavy it was, and to feel the throb of energy within it that reverberated through his body, putting his teeth on edge. Turning, he bore it out of the cabin and back onto the deck, holding it above his head triumphantly�to the resounding cheers of his impromptu gang of enforcers.

Pausing a moment beside the livid pirate, Hercules murmured, "I'd think twice before setting sail again� Poseidon is not known for being a forgiving kind of guy. He values his children and this Trident above all other things, and you tried to take both from him."

Gritting his teeth, his eyes burning with hate, Lysocka simply looked away. He'd find a way to make them pay for this�and glancing up into the shrouds, spotting his lookout, he knew the lad would have a good idea of where that runt had taken his 'prize'. The Trident might be lost, but he'd still have bargaining power with the god if he could get her back.

Hercules had turned away and warmed by the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd, he made his way back up to the dock, and then began to run in the opposite direction taken by his friends. He wanted to get the Trident back to Poseidon and the quickest way was to head to the headlands on the cliffs that curved out and around from the southern arm of the harbour.

And, he wanted to split Lysocka's forces. He was pretty sure the guy would want revenge and hoped at least half of those bloodthirsty pirates would follow him for the prize of the Trident instead of the girl.

To the rest of the world, it might have seemed that Nautica was leading her husband, as they raced along the dock, darting around obstacles of piled barrels, coiled rope, crates and folks coming and going from the various ships tied up alongside. But, she was following the lead of a spirit only she could see.

Together, they raced past the end of the wharf area, clattering down wooden steps that led to the rocky beach. Iolaus kept leading them on, wanting to put a fair amount of space between them and the pirates who were bound to follow. He was reluctant to lead them into the town where they could too easily end up trapped down a blind alley. Out here, in the countryside, they could at least melt into the forest�and besides, Nautica had to stay near the water to make good her own escape back to where she'd come from.

It was an hour before he let them stop, and by then the dusk was gathering, the waves dark over the sea, but for the eerie phosphorescent effect of the surf. "Wait here," he directed as he turned back to watch for pursuers and to flag down Hercules once the demigod showed up. However, Iolaus didn't expect him anytime soon, knowing his buddy had to take care of the small matter of Poseidon's Trident.

Nautica and the other Iolaus paused to catch their breath, and she leaned on him for support. He trembled at the warmth of her, and unbidden, his arm came up to circle her body, holding her close. She looked up at him, her eyes wide and dancing as she teased, "Well, husband, thank you for coming to rescue me!"

But the look in his eyes drove the laughter from hers. Searching his gaze, again finding it hard to breathe, she stood on her toes to bring her lips to his. It was like a dream, a wonderful, precious dream, with the sound of the crashing surf beside them, a fiery sky above darkening to allow the stars to glitter. The Jester met her lips, feeling as if he was drowning but had no interest in saving himself, and his grip tightened around her as her arms snaked up around his neck, her fingers tangling in the curls they found there.

How long they stood like that, he didn't know. An eternity? A brief flash of time? All he knew was that he had found his heart's desire and never wanted to let her go. It overwhelmed him, and frightened him�and he realized he was behaving as badly as had that pirate, whisking her away and wanting to make her his own. Pulling away, letting his arms fall as if suddenly burned, he turned his head, muttering, "I'm sorry�I've never done anything like that before�I'm sorry."

"I'm not," she sighed, a soft hand on his cheek pulling his face around to hers so that she could look into those amazing eyes�see the ache in them�the ache for her that soothed her own troubled soul. "I feel as if I've been looking for you all my life."

"I had no life until I saw you today," he whispered, the truth of the words filling his heart. "I knew I had to save you from him�somehow." Smiling a little in self-mockery, he continued, "Though�I'm a coward, you know, and saving people isn't something I'm usually very good at."

"You saved me," she replied, stroking his cheek. "And now you're responsible for my life�I belong to you."

"Oh no," he laughed at that, standing back, shaking his head. "You don't owe me anything! I'm just glad to know you're safe now�but�"

Whatever he might have said was lost when Iolaus shouted from down the beach. Nautica's head snapped up and her eyes widened, as she gasped, "They're coming! They've followed us!"

The Jester took one look back over his shoulder and caught the shouts of hunting men, and then he grabbed her hand to race with her farther along the shore.

But, they'd tarried too long, and the revenge seeking pirates gained on them, finally catching them. The Jester yelled to her, "Keep going!" as he turned to face the threat, but she wasn't about to leave him. He fought as he'd never fought before, drawing upon his unclear memories of what Iolaus had done while in his body, upon the memories Iolaus had left behind, kicking out and swinging his fists. But he was unskilled�and they were vicious.

While two of their gang grabbed Nautica and hauled her screaming away, the rest lingered to beat the Jester, catching hold of his arms so that he could no longer fight back. He could hear her screams fading into the distance as the darkness came to claim him.

Iolaus watched the early stages of the uneven battle, sick to his depths at being helpless to intervene. This is what that damned promise meant. This. Having to watch someone beaten and abused, helpless to save themselves while brutal men did whatever they chose. Turning away, wincing at the sound of fists thudding into his twin's body, at the groans of pain, he couldn't just stand and watch, couldn't bear to listen. Nautica's screams cut through his distraction. With a last glance of despairing grief and guilt at his double, he turned to race along the beach, following those who had taken her hostage.

Hercules had thrown the Trident far out into the sea, where it vanished below the surface with a brilliant flash of light, streaking up into the darkening heavens, then blinking from sight. Nodding decisively, he turned to head back along the path he'd taken, back to find the others and ensure they were all right. He kept a wary watch for pursuers, knowing some must have followed him, so his eyes were up, scanning the rocks to the side and ahead.

Not on the path.

So he didn't see the rope hidden by the shadows�the rope that stretched across the stony path just below knee level.

With a shout of surprise, he went flying headlong, landing hard and knocking the breath from his body, stunned a little by the impact. They swarmed out from behind the rocks, kicking him and pushing him quickly over the edge of the rocky escarpment. Though he scrambled to fight back, to gain a hold on the rocky lip of the cliff, it had all happened too fast�and he felt himself drop, down onto the rocks and the surging sea below

Lysocka stood looking down at his sprawled body, the waves crashing up and over the still form of the demigod. "I told you I'd make you pay," he muttered with grim satisfaction. Then he turned away to lead the remainder of his force back past the wharf to unslip their ship and sail up the coast�to take back his 'prize'.

Iolaus found the Jester sprawled unconscious on the stony shore, the rising tide lapping at his feet, his face bloody and bruised, dark in the shadows of the deepening dusk. Dropping to his knees beside the man, Iolaus reached out, wishing he could touch, see how badly his friend was hurt, but he couldn't. All he could do was wait.

It seemed hours later when he was vastly relieved when his twin finally moaned and rolled over, more into the water, which roused him further.

"I'm sorry," Iolaus whispered, knowing the Jester couldn't hear him, but having to say it.

Struggling to sit up, one hand holding his aching head, the beaten man looked around dazedly, with a sense of sinking despair. He hadn't been able to save her. They'd taken her away.

He'd failed�again. Only this time, he wasn't sure he'd ever be able to recover. Oh, it wasn't the beating. He'd known worse at the hands of the Sovereign. Gods�what they'd do to her!

There had to be something he could do�he couldn't just let this happen! If it killed him, he had to find a way to help her, make her safe! Turning, staring desperately into the night, he called out, "Iolaus! Are you here? Gods, please be here! Take my body! Use it�find her!"

Whether or not this came under the heading of 'can't do anymore,' Iolaus couldn't resist that plea from the depths of his twin's soul. He didn't know where Hercules was, and was worried. The demigod should have caught up with them a long time ago and Iolaus had been as afraid for the demigod as he waited by the Jester as he was for his double. Ruthlessly, he pushed that fear aside, telling himself Hercules knew how to take care of himself, would be fine, was just delayed. It was up to them to save the girl�he'd do as much as he could, without thoroughly compromising his promise to Hercules, to help the Jester do just that.

Rising from his knees, he stepped forward and into the Jester's body, and the man almost sobbed with relief to know he had the help he needed. Inside the zone of his mind, he faced Iolaus and pleaded, "Teach me, teach me how to fight them! I have your memories�some idea�but I don't know how to put it together. I have to save her!"

'Well, that I can do,' Iolaus thought, remembering the previous experiences had never left any side effects. "Alright," he replied, "but we have to be quick�they're holding her in a boat repair barn about a mile from here."

Working quickly, he helped the Jester sort through the memories of moves and battles, showing him how to make use of whatever came to hand, how to keep moving, rolling and tumbling, using the skills he already had, how to use the force and size of another against them. While they sorted, they got their shared body moving, heading down along the beach.

Slowing as they came closer to the wooden structure a few yards up from the waterline, they dropped behind some rocks. There were sentries posted, but they weren't keeping an alert watch. Within the halls of his mind, the Jester turned to Iolaus. "You have to go now�you made Hercules a promise. And�and I have to do this myself."

Iolaus gazed back at his twin, then reluctantly nodded. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "Back there�I wanted to help but�."

"I know," the Jester assured him. "I don't want you destroying yourself any more than does Hercules. He needs you�and I�I need to know that you're all right. I'd never have forgiven myself if helping me again, saving my life, burned away your soul. Whatever happens, Iolaus�thank you. Thank you for giving me a chance at a new life."

Iolaus lingered a moment more, his attention back on the sentries, and the light breaking in the east. "You need to move quickly, silently�sneak up behind them, hit them with a rock and catch them when they fall so that it doesn't make a sound. There were about seven of them with her inside, and they'd tied her to a work bench in the middle of the area. There're coils of rope, various metal tools scattered about�use them, use whatever comes to hand. And keep moving." Turning back to the Jester he whispered, "Good luck."

And, then he stepped back out of the body, leaving the Jester to save the woman Iolaus now knew the man loved with all his heart and soul.

He might have argued the point, might have chosen to stay in the body, forced the Jester to accept his help. But, his twin was right. This was something he had to do himself.

To save Nautica�and to find his own strength, his own confidence in his capacity to fight and win for something or someone who meant the world to him�or die trying.

The fact that it nearly killed Iolaus to just stand back and watch didn't bear thinking about.

Hercules tasted salt on his lips as he struggled back to consciousness. He was lying on a rough hard surface, and felt like mush�and very, very wet he realized as another wave cascaded over him. Moaning, he pushed himself to his knees, shaking his head to clear it.

"Well�it's about time," growled a deep voice from somewhere behind him.

"Right," he sighed, feeling as if ten thousand drummers were using his head for practice as he flopped over to sit with his knees raised and one hand kneading the back of his neck. Looking up, he noticed Poseidon had retrieved his Trident. His uncle had appeared as a slightly larger than average giant and was sitting on a boulder a few feet away, scowling at him.

"Well, are you just going to sit there?" the god demanded. "My daughter is in need of rescuing."

Wincing a little as he came to his feet, Hercules squinted up at the god as he replied, "Why don't you save her yourself?"

Huffing a little, Poseidon looked off across the sea, toward the glow beginning to rise in the east. "She stole my Trident and ran away�she needs to learn a lesson. How would it look if I just chased after her to save her from her own idiocy? Time she grew up, took responsibility for herself�." Changing the subject, which was all too obviously only making him feel uncomfortable, the God of the Seas observed, "Oh, good threats by the way, to get those folks to help you�freezing the sea, I liked that one, sounded like something I'd do..."

"Yeah, yeah," Hercules cut in, as he turned to scan the cliff above him, looking for handholds.

"Not that way," Poseidon advised him, as he too stood. "The filthy pirates have taken their ship up along the coast to meet with the gang who took Nautica away from your friend the clown�"

"Is he all right?" Hercules demanded, suddenly concerned as he whirled back to face the god. He knew Nautica must be alright or Poseidon would have already torn the fools apart and they wouldn't be having this conversation.

"Relax, that kid bounces back from a beating like a ball off a wall, he's fine�but he's going to try to take them all on by himself which suggests he's not very bright, not unlike his twin when I think about it," Poseidon replied caustically, waving off the demigod's concern. "The fact remains that there are too many, or shortly will be, for him to handle by himself. Your friendly ghost is doing his best to live by his promise to you�but he's not happy about it, I'll tell you that."

Hercules rolled his eyes, again turning to the cliff, anxious to be on his way. Iolaus had a limited amount of patience at best and the promise would likely be cast to the winds if his buddy thought he had no choice but to help his twin and Nautica. There was no time to lose.

"I said, not that way," Poseidon continued, reaching to scoop the demigod into one massive fist. "Come along�I'll give you a lift."

Startled, Hercules only had time to take a deep breath before they'd plunged into the sea.

The Jester took a deep breath and set out to become a hero, though he didn't think of it like that. All he could think about was the danger Nautica was in, and that he had to save her. Picking up a rock that fit nicely into his hand, he circled around to get behind the first sentry at the back of the building. Moving quietly, light on his feet, he moved in through the shadows and soundly wrapped the pirate on the back of the head, remembering to catch the fellow before he collapsed to ease him to the ground. Then, he slipped around the side of the building, again keeping in its shadow until he could peek around it at the sentry at the front. Waiting until the man had begun to stroll to the far side, the Jester again moved forward as silent as the shadows that had hidden him, taking the pirate by surprise and leaving his body on the far side of the building.

The sun had just come up over the horizon, blazing a golden path straight to the closed door of the building. Taking a deep breath, he shoved the doors open and dashed inside, his eyes darting to take in the occupants and to locate the implements Iolaus had said he might make use of in rescuing Nautica.

She was tied wrists and ankles to a worktable in the centre of the building and her head came up at the sound of the doors crashing open, her eyes widening when she saw him outlined by the sun, as if etched by gold. He cut a quick glance at her, to ensure she was all right, and the sight of the bruise on her cheek inflamed him. Almost blind with fury, he kicked out at the first pirate that came at him, catching the villain solidly in the chest and driving him backward to bang his head sharply on the far wall, where he sank to the ground. Two more were coming at him, and he rolled, to knock them off their feet, coming back up quickly, a loop of coiled rope in his hands. Lashing out, he caught one across the head and shoulders, knocking him into the other as the second tried to stand. Both went flying, one connecting with the solid wood base of the work table Nautica was tied to, and Iolaus clipped the other as hard as he could with the edge of his hand on the back of the pirate's neck, dropping him to the filthy earthen floor.

By then, the other four, who had been drowsing, had come fully awake and were edging toward him from the back of the barnlike structure. 'Keep moving,' he chanted to himself, 'Iolaus said to keep moving!' So, he fought his tendency to freeze in confusion, and using one hand for leverage, he leapt over Nautica, striking out with his feet at the nearest man, sending him backward into another. Dropping to the other side of the table, he cartwheeled to the far wall and pulled a long iron implement from the wall. Already swinging it as he turned, he caught one pirate solidly across the face and another hard on his shoulder� there was an audible crack and scream as the bone broke.

Two left standing, circling at him from either end of the table she was tied to�he cartwheeled again, one handed, still gripping the iron rod, and came up close to the other man, clipping him soundly on the side of the head, dropping him in his tracks. The last man circled, a knife in his hand, wary of this human dynamo who never seemed to stay in one place long enough to catch. Not knowing what else to do, Iolaus yelled as he charged the man, startling him, and then stopping just out of reach, he whirled and swung the iron to crash against the man's wrist, sending the knife flying and the pirate to his knees, holding his shattered wrist as he cursed in pain.

Iolaus stopped moving, stunned, as he looked around and realized he was the only one left standing. Breathing heavily, he grabbed up the knife and his eyes raking the crumpled bodies, ensuring they were all staying down, as he turned and quickly cut the ropes that bound her, then scooped her off the table into his arms. She looped her arms around his neck and held onto him, her head cradled against his neck as he carried her quickly into the sunlight.

"You saved me!" she whispered, and to his amazement, he realized he had. Smiling then, for the first time since they'd taken her from him, he set her gently on the ground and hugged her tight, never wanting to let her go. It was only then, when he looked up toward the water, that he saw the other ship drop its anchor and a small skiff over the side, loaded with more pirates.

"Oh great," he muttered, pushing her a little away. "It's not over yet." Turning to her, he said urgently, "I want you to hide�and don't let any of them find you! I'll try to slow these guys down, keep them from coming after you."

"But," she protested, now also seeing the ship and the villains drawing close to shore. "There are too many�they'll kill you."

"Don't worry about me! Just go!" he urged, pushing her back toward the forest even as he turned to face them.

Slowly, torn, she backed toward the trees. Just then, they heard a shout and turned to see Hercules racing toward them along the beach, moving to meet the skiff as it drew ever closer. A second skiff was putting out from the pirate vessel�and then, from around the point, appeared another ship, flying the colours of the King of Corinth.

They could hear shouting from the ship, confused, panicked�and the second skiff turned back. If they weighed anchor, they might have a chance to fight off the marines.

Lysocka, in the first skiff, was furious. All his plans were crumbling. The demigod, who he'd thought he'd killed was here before him. And he could see the girl disappear into the shadows of the forest. Cursing, he urged his men forward. The only chance now was to fight the demigod and that ridiculous runt who was running to join him on the shore and track the girl. With her, he could still bargain.

But, the pirates were at a distinct disadvantage. They needed to wade through the heavy surf, while the heroes held the beach, and the military vessel fired on their own ship, holing it just above the waterline�it was a rout. Hercules took Lysocka, not worrying about finesse, simply straight-arm punching him solidly in the face, snapping his head back even as he staggered to the shore, dropping him into the surf. While Iolaus spun and kicked, leaping up onto one guy's shoulders and pounding him with both hands, rolling back to kick out at another, Hercules smashed and threw others hard into the sand and surf.

It was over in minutes, the residue of the pirate forces surrendering before they were utterly demolished. Iphicles' forces took possession of the pirate vessel, while several rowed ashore to round up the beaten pirates on the sand and in the building.

Hercules waved when he spotted his brother in the boat heading to shore, grinning broadly. Then he turned to the Jester, who looked battered but triumphant. Clapping the smaller man on the shoulder, the demigod said with a warm grin, "See�I told you you were a hero!"

Wordless with emotion, scarcely able to believe what he'd just accomplished, the Jester looked up at his friend and nodded, his eyes glowing with joy.

"Iolaus!" they heard her call and turned to see Nautica racing across the sand to fling herself into her hero's arms, kissing him soundly�almost knocking him over. He hugged her tight and kissed her right back, while Hercules watched, his brows ascending under his bangs as he gazed at them with a look of bemused surprise. He turned when he heard the familiar ripple of sound, the delighted giggle that never failed to warm his own heart.

Iolaus was sauntering down the beach toward them, shaking his head. "It must be magic, Herc. Even when it's not really me, I get the girl!" he teased.

"Well, this was fast work, even for you�what happened?" Hercules asked, turning back to look at the couple who were oblivious to everyone and everything around them.

"Love happened," Iolaus replied softly, gazing with delight at his twin and his lady. "He really loves her, Herc, more than he thought would ever be possible. He'd die for her�didn't think twice about taking on nine guys back there and all of them in that ship if that's what it took to keep her safe. And, you know, I think she loves him, too."

"But�does he know she's not mortal? That she belongs in the sea?" Hercules asked, his eyes darkening with concern. Gods�he didn't want to be the one to tell the Jester that this relationship was hopeless.

"No�he doesn't have a clue who she is. She could be a peasant for all he knows. He doesn't care," Iolaus replied, frowning himself now that he considered the complications. "There must be something we can do�er�that you can do. What about 'Dite? Maybe she could help."

Hercules turned back to consider the couple�and decided this was worth asking a favour of his sister. "Iolaus, suggest they go for a walk or something while I meet Iph, get these goons dealt with and talk to Aphrodite. Ask them to give me an hour," he said quietly, then moved to meet his brother who was just wading to shore.

Hercules greeted Iphicles, who was staring at the couple kissing a few feet away. "Iolaus?" he whispered, hope in his eyes.

"Well, yes and no. It's the Iolaus from the Sovereign's world�and that's Nautica, Poseidon's daughter," Hercules explained.

Disappointment flooded his brother's eyes, only to be replaced by amazement, "Poseidon's daughter?" he stammered.

"Uh huh�while your men are rounding up the bad guys, I'll explain it to you�and by, the way, thanks for responding to the message I left yesterday afternoon," Hercules replied.

Iphicles smiled at that. "No problem," he assured the demigod. "Gave me an excuse to get away from the palace for a while. We anchored just outside the harbour and watched for the ship�followed them here. I've been looking for an excuse to take Lysocka in for years. Glad to help."

Iolaus sauntered over to his twin and Nautica, ostentatiously clearing his throat to get her attention. Reluctantly, she opened an eye and looked at him, then pulled back a little in the Jester's embrace, a brow quirked in question, as much as saying that the interruption had better be worth it.

Iolaus grinned as he relayed the message. "Hercules suggests the two of you go for a walk, for an hour maybe, while he clears things up here. I think you guys might have some things you need to say to one another�like maybe, where each of you come from?"

"Oh�yes," she replied, a little distracted as she returned her gaze to those incredible blue eyes that held her soul captive. "Let's�let's go for a walk along the beach, all right?"

"Sure," he nodded, feeling confused and not caring. Whatever she wanted to do was fine with him.

They set off, hand in hand, heads close together, golden in the new morning's light.

"I love you," she whispered, then floundered, not knowing how to explain who she was�or what it meant. She only knew she never wanted to leave him, not ever.

"I love you, too," he murmured, surprised with the ease with which he was able to make the declaration. How it seemed to simplify everything in his life, give him purpose and focus. Whatever it took, he'd find a way to care for her.

But, she seemed�unhappy, and that bothered him. There was something here he didn't understand. Stooping to pick up some stones, he began to juggle as if absently, while he began to tell her who he was, where he was from, but it was deliberate, to distract her, to share something of himself�to bring a smile back to her face and eyes.

Her attention caught, delighted by his skill, she grinned in amazement�and then registered what he was telling her, explaining what had been meant yesterday in the cabin when Iolaus had said this man was his twin, 'sort of'. He tried not to belabor the horror, but she heard past the words, the tones of self-mockery, saw the shadows in his eyes when he didn't look at her directly.

"You've suffered," she murmured, empathy softening her expression. More than ever, all she wanted was to make him happy for the rest of his life.

"Everyone suffers," he shrugged as he let the stones fall, "maybe you need to experience suffering to really know true happiness�to know how precious it is." Then, turning to her, he said, "It doesn't matter to me who you are, or where you're from�but, I'm interested. I want to know everything about you, if you'll tell me."

"Oh, Iolaus�I don't know how to tell you�I�I'm from another world, too, but�my world is the sea," she said hesitantly, casting a look at the rolling surf. "My father is Poseidon, God of the Sea�."

"Poseidon�oh," he echoed, shock and then dismay in his eyes. A peasant he could aspire to love. A goddess? It was impossible. "I didn't know," he mumbled, turning away. "I'm sorry�I shouldn't have�"

"What?" she exclaimed as she grabbed his arm and pulled him back to face her. "What shouldn't you have done? Saved my life? At terrible odds and danger to yourself?"

"NO!" he protested. "That's not what I meant!"

"What then?" she persisted. "That you shouldn't love me? Why? Aren't I good enough?"

Sighing, he shook his head as he took her hands in his own. Quietly, he replied, "You know that's not true. It's me who's not good enough�would never be good enough for you."

"Don't you think that's up to me to decide?" she replied archly, then relented, tears in her eyes. "I love you. It's sudden, I know, and probably a little crazy, but I know it's real! I never want to be parted from you�I don't know how I'll find a way�but I will. I'll find a way to live in this world�with you."

He found he had to blink his own eyes and swallow against the fullness in his chest. "I can't ask you�"

"I'm asking you," she cut in. "I know I'm useless�haven't a clue how to cook�"

"I know how to cook," he rejoined, trying to grin but failing, "but, that's not the point."

"Sure it is! Good, so it's settled!" she decided, nodding decisively. "You're my hero, my love, my life�I won't let you go."

Overwhelmed, his eyes glittering with tears, he felt only pain at the knowledge that, no matter how much they each might want this, to be together, it was hopeless. Sighing as he took her into his arms, "Oh, Nautica�we can't do this�it's impossible, don't you see." While all the while, his soul was crying out, 'I love you�I have no life without you.'

"Why?" she demanded, pulling away. "Why does it have to be impossible?"

Holding her hand, his face bleak with hopelessness, he murmured, "Nautica�think about it. You're a goddess, of the sea. I'm�well�a mortal, a wanderer from another world, but a land world. I can't live in your world, and you can't live in mine. Even if you could, and would, give up your whole life to live out of the sea, it wouldn't be right. Can't you see�we don't belong together. We'd only ending up hurting each other�and I couldn't bear to ever hurt you."

The harshness of reality crashed into the sweetness and yearning she felt�and she knew he was right. Her eyes filled with tears and her face crumpled as she leaned into him. "I�I don't want to leave you," she sobbed. "I know I'll never love anyone again like I love you�I feel like you're a part of me, somehow."

"I know," he whispered, tears brimming in his own eyes. "I'll remember you all my life�and be glad that I had the chance to know you, to feel your love�and to know I love you. I�I never hoped anyone as wonderful as you would ever care for me. Forever, Nautica, I swear�I will love you forever."

They stood a long time, just holding one another, sealing the memory of it in their souls�the touch, the words, knowing it would be all they could ever have. Finally, he pulled a little away, looking down at her tenderly, his heart in his eyes, as he said, "We'd better head back. Hercules will be looking for us�and it's time you were going home."

She nodded disconsolately as she wiped her eyes, and they turned to make their way back, walking slowly, their feet dragging, wanting these final moments to last a lifetime.

The pirates had been rounded up and taken back to the ships, which had hauled anchor and slipped around the point back to the harbour at Corinth. Aphrodite stood beside Hercules on the beach, looking past him at the lovers as he explained the situation.

"So�is there anything you can do?" he asked, a plaintive note in his voice, a hopeful look in his eyes.

"Maybe, but I have to be sure this is what they both want," she temporized, watching them come closer, seeing their bleak unhappiness, the slowness of their steps as they returned, reading the pain of their hearts. Poseidon wouldn't likely be happy about this�but love wasn't his domain. Lifting her head, her hands coming to her hips, she studied them closely, her eyes narrowing as she considered the options.

As they walked up, Hercules said to the Jester, "Iolaus�you remember Aphrodite?"

"Oh, yes!" he replied, bobbing his head and blushing a little to remember how he'd ogled her the first time he'd seen her years ago.

She giggled, delighted by his reaction as she nodded to Nautica. "Hercules tells me the two of you are in love," she chirped, getting right to the point.

"That's right," Nautica confirmed, tightening her grip on his arm. There was a desperate look in her eyes. "I'd don't want to leave him, not ever�but�he's convinced me it's hopeless. Unless�unless you can help us! Oh please, I'll do whatever I have to do to stay with him."

"Really?" 'Dite noted, one brow arching. "Well, I'm not sure it's up to you. Like it or not, you'll have to return to the sea."

"But," Nautica tried to protest but Aphrodite raised an imperious hand, cutting her off as she turned to the Iolaus from the other world. Iolaus laid his arm around Nautica's shoulders, to comfort her, to help her be brave. A shuddering sigh escaped him as he faced Aphrodite squarely, waiting for her to tell them there was nothing she could do.

But, her words surprised him, as she said, "The decision is yours, Iolaus. Do you love Nautica enough to give up this world, to go with her to her world under the sea?"

Heartbroken grief gave way to tremulous hope, and he tightened his grip around the one person he would ever truly love with his whole heart. His face was utterly sincere, his eyes clear and his voice firm as he responded without any doubts, "Nautica is my world, my life. I left the world I was born in, and I don't really belong here or anywhere else, except where she is."

"That's all I needed to hear," 'Dite cheered, her face aglow with a brilliant smile. She waved her hands and kissed each of them on the cheek. "Go then�go to your world and your life together�and be happy."

Nautica looked astounded that it could be this simple, and then her face was wreathed with a glorious smile as she too cheered and turned to hug her love. Iolaus looked like he'd just been given the earth and everything in it, astonished and overwhelmed with a gratitude he could find no way to express. "Thank you," he murmured to Aphrodite.

Then, his arm around Nautica, he turned to Hercules, "And you. For believing in me. For giving me a new life. I've never been as happy as I've been in the last few weeks."

"You earned it, my friend. I hope your happiness is only just beginning�I wish you both all the joy that life can hold," Hercules replied, his own eyes suspiciously moist as he laid a gentle hand on the Jester's shoulder.

Nodding, the Jester turned to Herc's side, casting a look at Hercules, a question in his eyes. "Iolaus?"

"He's right here," the demigod indicated with a wave of his hand.

Staring at the space, imagining his twin smiling at him, Iolaus said, "I owe you everything. You have been my inspiration and my teacher�you shared what you are so that I could save Nautica. You were the one who suggested I come to this world. I will never be able to thank you for the gift of my life�or the life I will know with her. I�all I can offer�is to tell you that you will always be my hero. I'll do my best to live up to everything you have always stood for."

Iolaus gazed a moment at his twin, his face mirroring the pride he felt in this man, and the love. Turning to Nautica, he said quietly, "He doesn't have to be like me�he just has to be himself. I'm proud to know he's my twin�and I wish you both all the best. You deserve the love you share. Tell him that for me, when you get home."

"I will," she promised, and then she turned to her Iolaus and tugged at his arm, pulling him toward the sea. Laughing then for the sheer joy of their love, they whirled like children and raced into the surf, turning once to wave back as they swam out, and then with a mighty thrust of two tails, they disappeared under the sea.

"Thank you, Aphrodite," Hercules said, smiling, relieved and very happy to see that the Jester had finally found the life he deserved.

"Oh�I love a love story," she giggled, "and happy endings!" With that, she vanished. Before her eyes could cloud with sorrow that her brother and her Sweetcheeks hadn't quite the happy ending she would have wished for them.

"That was great," Iolaus sighed, ever the romantic.

"Yeah, it was. I'm glad he's finally found a life worth living," Hercules replied, staring out at the sea.

"Well�I guess we should head back to the port, get the wagon and return it to Jason," Iolaus suggested. "He's not going to believe this!"

"Right," agreed Hercules, turning to head back toward Corinth.

"So�what took you so long to get here?" asked Iolaus as they ambled along.

As Hercules relayed his tale, Iolaus alternately looked concerned, at the ambush and long fall to the rocks below, and then impishly delighted with the tale of Poseidon and his reluctance to just come out and give his beloved daughter whatever she wanted. It amused him to think the gods faced the same challenges with their children as did mortals�if they cared enough to be bothered at all. But, then, the same thing could be said about some mortals, too.

"Well, I'm glad you made it, and that Iph turned up in the nick of time," Iolaus observed. "He did great against the guys in the barn, you know, once he'd gotten the hang of how to fight, but a whole boat load would have been too much�way too much."

"Uh huh," Hercules agreed. "I got back as quickly as I could�I knew it would be hard for you to keep your promise�."

"What?" Iolaus cut in, expression bleached from his face.

"Well, I knew you'd want to help," Hercules replied diffidently, having the sinking feeling he'd just said something very wrong.

"Yeah�I wanted to help all right. I wanted to help when they nearly beat him to death and dragged her off screaming. I wanted to help when he went in against nine guys for the first time in his life, when they were armed and he wasn't. I wanted to help when I saw that ship anchor off shore�but I didn't," he replied bitterly, his entire being stiff with tension and resentment. "How could you think I'd just walk away from the promise I gave you? You think my word is worth that little?" Iolaus demanded, clearly furious.

"No!" Hercules denied, his hands up in defense. "No�it's just that�well, I knew how hard it would be�"

"Yeah�about as hard as it would be for you to stand around and do nothing while people you care about are hurt. You know what, Hercules, I hate this promise. But, I made it. The least you could do is trust me to keep it," Iolaus seethed, stomping on ahead.

Hercules didn't know what to say�could feel his friend's pain, the anger and guilt, the grief at being helpless, the frustration like a tangible force radiating from Iolaus. And, he knew his friend was right. It would kill him to keep such a promise himself. Did he ask too much? Gods�no! Without that promise, Iolaus might already have done something to destroy himself!

"I'm sorry," he finally blurted, as he caught up. "I just don't�"

"I don't want to talk about it," Iolaus cut him off. "Because, if we talk about it right now, I'm going to retract the promise, and I don't think you want that. But, I warn you, Hercules�I'm really not sure how long I can go on with it. I'll keep trying�for you. Let's just not�talk about it."

"Okay," murmured the demigod, feeling that it was wrong, all of it, wrong. This kind of existence wasn't fair to Iolaus, but no existence at all was too devastating to consider.

Once again, as they strode back to the harbour in silence, he began to wonder what he might be able to do, to trade, to get Iolaus out of this intolerable reality.

There had to be a way. Maybe if he begged Zeus? Iolaus would hate that�but it might be the only option they had.

Casting his eyes to the sky he wondered, 'Would you answer if I called? Would you do this for him�for me?'

Chapter Six

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