Realmgods

Held by the very end and at arms length, Angela�s staff whipped a long sweeping circle around her head. As the circle completed itself, she dropped down into a crouch then jumped up to execute a scissor kick. When she landed, the staff was held in a ready position; her right hand on the very end, against her hip and her left at about mid way down the length of the six foot pole. She pulled her legs together and bent her knees slightly in a quick motion that added to the speed and force that enabled her to shoot the staff straight out at her imaginary attacker. Pulling the staff back in, she side-stepped to the right and threw a quick side kick. She diligently worked her way through the motions of this ancient form then went directly into another. The forms of many of the Chinese arts ended with the same or similar move to the beginning of the next form in that particular system allowing the practitioner to transcend fluently from one to the next without stopping. This is what she was doing now. She executed a jumping spinning crescent kick then went into a butterfly kick which brought her around to face the mirror at the front of the dojo. The mirror ran the length of the room and went from ceiling to floor. She dropped into a crouch and slammed the staff flat onto the blue rubber padding that covered the floor. Angela momentarily looked up at her reflection in the mirror, her long raven tresses cascaded down her back and shoulders. Her emerald green eyes, peering through scattered strands, checked her posture; as she so often did. She felt that the moment a person thought they were good enough they stopped learning and getting better. Being a master of the martial arts, on many levels, never disillusioned her. She was the best of the best. She knew this in her head, but her heart told her to keep striving for more. That was what she listened to, the wisdom of her heart.

As she finished up her form, Angela heard the telephone ringing in her office. Leaning her staff against the doorframe, she made her way into the large room and picked up the phone, �Hello.�

�Hey Angela,� came a familiar voice, �I was hoping you�d be there.�

�Hey Xena... what�s going on? You�re still coming down tonight right?� Angela asked as she seated herself behind her desk.

�Of course,� came the sound of velvet through the phone lines, �we�ll be there in less than an hour... that is, if your sister doesn�t kill us before we get there.� a small chuckle sounded over the phone.

Angela could hear Maddy in the background, �hey, it�s not my fault that idiot had to cut us off...�

�Ok, ok sorry.� Xena sounded momentarily exasperated, then went back to her conversation with Angela, �yeah, doing 75 mph in a jeep that gets cut off can be a... harrowing experience to say the least.�

�How bad was it?� Angela�s voice was washed over with concern, �are you two ok at least?�

�Oh yeah, after Gabrielle had us teetering on two wheels for what seemed like forever...�

In the background Angela heard her sister pipe up again, �it was only for about 30 or 40 feet, jeez. Just get off it already. We�re fine, the jeeps fine, everything is FINE.�

Angela let out a small laugh at her sister�s flustered statement, �Listen, Xena, just let yourselves in when you get here. Ok?�

�You got it Angela. Oh yeah, and by the way... your sister�s blonde now.�

�Yeah, I knew it would happen eventually.� Angela sighed.

�Well, we�ll see ya in a bit, bye.�

�Bye,� Angela hung up the phone. �Alrighty then, time for some sword drills,� she said aloud to herself. As she moved to get out of her chair, she realized that she had been sitting on her hair, �well, it looks like I�m gonna have to get a few inches trimmed off.�

Maddy and Xena arrived as planned and the three women worked out and sparred for the better part of about four hours. During the last hour Xena had pitted herself against the two sisters. They regularly took turns in two on one drills and this day was no exception. Fighting with staffs, Maddy and Angela moved with lightning speed, pushing the ex-Warrior Princess to the near extremes of her abilities. Ululating her battle cry, Xena flipped over them, doing a half turn in mid air. As she attempted to face off once again a dark haired woman dressed in Amazon clothing appeared in the midst of the fray. The Amazon dropped down quickly to avoid the oncoming strikes of three staffs, then rolled into Xena who stepped over her and kept on fighting. With a large grin on her face, Varia ran to the weapons rack at the far corner of the room and retrieved a staff for herself.

Xena groaned outwardly when she saw the Amazon queen join the mix. She was already fatigued from the intense workout that Angela had put her and Gabrielle through. Xena knew that Angela usually started her own routine of exercises and drills about two or three hours before she and Gabrielle would arrive so as to put them all on an even plane. But it wasn�t all that even of course, as Angela was still breathing normally and had barely broken a sweat; at least from Xena�s perspective. She and Gabrielle were both breathing very heavily at this point. �One more year,� Xena thought to herself, �one more year and I�ll be in the kind of shape I was in all of those years ago. But right now, three on me is ridiculous.�

Angela knew that Xena was tired, but allowed the fight to continue for about five more minutes before stopping it, �alright guys time.� She walked the few paces over to Xena and pat her on the back, �that was excellent.� She then turned to the Amazon queen, �so what brings you here? Business or pleasure?� she asked with a smile.

�Social call. I thought I�d take a few days off from my queenly duties and see how you were doing.�

�Great!� Angela turned to see her sister and friend having only a slight bit of difficulty catching their breaths, �control your breathing, don�t let it control you. Here, follow along with me. In through your nose, out through your mouth. Deep breaths. Hey Varia,� Angela turned to the Amazon, �you might wanna follow along, this is a good breathing exercise.� She led her three companions through one of the many breathing exercises that she had in her vast repertoire. Within a few short minutes, everyone was ready to go.

�Hey Gabrielle,� Xena�s voice took on a menacing tone as a feral smile crept across her features, �I know that it�s your turn to be in the middle, but I think your sister could use a little three on one... don�t ya think?�

�You may be right, Xena.� she said as she picked her staff up off the mat.

Angela couldn�t help but to smile at the exchange, �Varia, you up to the challenge?� she asked.

�Hades yes.� she too had her staff at the ready.

�Ok, well I have an idea... you each grab the weapon you are most comfortable with... uh, except the live ones, and I�ll go get the chest protectors.� the chest protectors she referred to covered the full frontal area of the torso and wrapped around the sides to cover the ribs. They didn�t impede movement in any way and allowed the women to �play� harder than normal without the risk of serious injury. Angela tied the protectors onto each woman and was about to forego wearing one herself until she realized that her sister was holding a pair of sais. �Uhh, Xena, could you strap this on me? I trust her not to kill me with the pointy end, but possibly breaking my ribs with the dull end is another story.�

�I hear that,� Xena sighed as she began lacing up the chest protector.

Angela watched as Varia looked over the weapons rack. The Amazon studied each weapon she put her hands on, undecided as to what she wanted to use. �Uhhmm, Varia, what�s your best weapon?�

�I�m equally good with the sword, chobos and staff.�

�Chobos?�

�Escrima sticks,� Xena pointed out offhandedly.

�Oh. There are sticks at the bottom of the rack if you want to use them.� Angela relayed to the Amazon as she made her way over. Her choice was simple, a pair of wooden broadswords.

�Have you ever fought against someone using chobos before?� Varia asked as she held the pair of two foot long sticks in either hand.

�Not in a multiple attacker situation, no. I think this is going to be interesting.� she mumbled the last as she turned to see what Xena had chosen. It was a bokken. A wooden version of a katana. Very light, very fast. �Nice choice.� she said in a low growl.

�Thanks,� Xena replied in the same tone.

Varia looked between the two raven haired women for a moment, �Gabrielle? How do you deal with that?�

�With what?� the blonde asked stepping over to her.

�They sound identical. Doesn�t it get to you after a while?�

�Please, that�s the least of my worries when these two get together. If all I had to deal with was the sound of their voices I�d be on easy street, but noooo I am not that lucky. These two have a competitive nature that the best athletes in the world only wished they had.� she said waving her hand at the two brunettes behind her then dropping her arm limply at her side.

Angela smiled at this and walked over to her sister putting her arm across her shoulders, �hey, what are you talkin� about... I AM one of the top athletes in the world.�

Gabrielle let out a long drawn out sigh, �see what I mean?�

�C�mon ladies,� Xena called out, �let�s get this show on the road.� Her eyes turned to ice as her warrior mask fell into place.

Angela twirled her broadswords once, looked over at the three women before her that were beginning to fan out and smiled. Green eyes locked with green eyes as Angela charged her sister then veered off to an unsuspecting Amazon to her left and quickly dealt out what would have been a fatal blow then spun to face her sister and a six foot body that was already in mid air and about to land on her. Angela side stepped Xena hitting her across the back with the flat of her blade and ran head on into Gabrielle with Varia on her heels. Angela kept moving, constantly darting between the three attackers, using their numbers against them. She continually repositioned herself in ways that kept them practically tripping over each other. Allowing her to fight only one, possibly two at a time. It was a basic technique that most practitioners of the martial arts learn early in their training. She was using it to her fullest advantage, knowing that it wouldn�t last long.

After taking a few hits from Varia with the escrima sticks, Angela wished that she had opted for shin guards, �ok, so the Amazon likes to fight low.� She mentally assessed the woman�s fighting tactics and put her into a position of being forced to fight high. Angela hated changing her tactics for an opponent, she forced them to change for her. She was a master at it.

The fight went on for a short while, everyone taking a good beating, before Angela decided that she wanted to try a different weapon. She blasted through the line of attackers and ran across the dojo to the weapons rack. She unceremoniously dropped her wooden swords and grabbed a staff, spinning around in time to halt the first attack which came from her six foot �nemesis�.

With the added reach that the staff afforded her, Angela found it almost easier to fight. �This is no good,� she thought to herself as the group worked it�s way around the room. �I need more of a challenge.� As she fought she mentally ticked off which weapons would be the hardest to deal with in this situation. Then almost as an afterthought, �Xena, trade,� she said as the two tossed their weapons at one another. �Now this is a little more like it.�

Immediately, Gabrielle went toe to toe with her sister. The fight went from three on one to one on one as Varia and Xena stepped back to watch for a moment. �Xena,� the Amazon began, �do you guys do this all of the time?�

�Every weekend.� came the velvety response.

�I think that I need to come around more often.�

�Why not? We could always use another player.� Xena�s eyes never left the two sisters exchanging blows, �I think that we�d better jump back in there.�

The Amazon turned back to watch the fight, �nah, Gabrielle is holding her own pretty good.�

�No, not really. You missed the six... well, seven times now, that Angela killed her.�

�I think you�re right.� agreed the Amazon as they moved back into the fray.

A half hour later, the four women were at Angela�s house licking their wounds. She had recently had an in-ground kidney shaped pool put in with a Jacuzzi. �C�mon everyone, get changed... we�ll let the jets work their magic.�

�Where are we going?� Varia asked inquisitively.

�Into nice, hot, soothing, relaxing water.� Angela replied.

�And where is that?�

�Right in the back yard.� Angela said with a grin before heading off to her room to go change and bring something for her guest to change into.

When she returned she found Varia stripped down, sitting on the edge of the deck, with her feet dangling in the water. �here Varia, put this on,� Angela knew that the Amazon would only sneer at a one piece bathing suit so she handed her a brand new black bikini.

�What do I have to put this on for?� Varia asked as she took the offered clothing.

�Because this is what we wear when we go swimming.�

�Since when does anyone wear clothes to go swimming?�

�Because that is the way things are done nowadays. Can�t explain it.�

Varia merely nodded her head in agreement and put the issue aside. With a little help from Angela, Varia had the bikini on quickly. �Why is the water... churning?�

�Well... Uhmmm... ok, water is being forced out through small openings all around the tub. And that makes it look... the way it does.� Angela looked sidelong at the Amazon, �it�s nothing to worry about.�

�Oh, I wasn�t worried about it; just curious... it�s something I have never seen before.� the Amazon smiled.

�Well, this is certainly not something that you want to look at... it�s something you need to get into, so climb in.� Angela said as she stepped down into the large Jacuzzi.

Maddy made her way through the sliding glass door, with Xena in tow, and dropped a small stack of towels on the edge of the deck, near the Jacuzzi. �Oh, by the way Ang., I grabbed your mail for you on the way in.�

�Thanks, anything good?� Angela sighed as she relaxed into powerful jet stream.

�Not really. You got a letter from the Robertson�s though... wasn�t that Joe�s family?�

�Yup.�

�Who�s Joe?� Xena asked, sliding into a vacant area of the tub.

�Angela�s late husband.� Maddy said, just above a whisper. She turned her attention to her sister, �do they write you often?�

�A couple of times a year. We keep in touch.� Angela closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh.

Xena looked on for a brief moment, �Angela, are you ok?�

�Yeah fine, why?� weariness came through in Angela�s voice.

Maddy spoke up for her friend, �it�s just the way you looked there for a second. That�s all.�

Angela smiled slightly and kicked her sister�s leg, �I�ve dealt with it. You know that. Gabrielle talked me down from that... and many other ledges.� She closed her eyes and laid her head back against the edge of the tub.

�Yeah, I did. Didn�t I?� Maddy smiled slyly at her sister.

Angela peeked one eye open, smiled and simply said, �thanks.�

�So,� Varia began, as she lightly nudged the green eyed brunette next her, �what did he look like?�

�Go for it storyteller,� Angela passed the conversation to her sister.

�Well, I have a better idea... do you have any pictures?� Maddy asked.

�I have one small photo album and the wedding album... take your pick.�

�How about both, after we get out of here.� Xena chimed in.

�You asked for it.� was Angela�s agreement.

**********

Maddy sat on the couch with Xena to her right and Varia to her left, awaiting the photo albums. After a few minutes of searching, Angela deposited a small black photo album and a UPS box on Maddy�s lap, �here you go. The Robertson�s wrote to me saying that they just got a new computer and gave me their e-mail address. I�m gonna go online and write back then I�ll be in to join you.�

Maddy held up the box deposited on her lap and realized that it was still sealed, �Ang.?�

�Yeah?� Angela stopped in the doorway between the living room and den and turned back.

�You never opened this.� Maddy�s voice held a hint of concern as she repositioned herself to see behind her to where her sister was now leaning against the doorframe.

�I know. For a long time, I just couldn�t bring myself to open it. Then... I just never bothered.� a slow smile crept across her face, �but I think that now is as good a time as any, don�t you?�

�Yes, I do. Do you want me to wait for you to open this?�

�No. You open it. I shouldn�t be long.� Angela did not wait for an answer. She turned away and headed into the den to start up her computer.

Maddy turned to Xena, �whaddya think?�

�Open it. That�s what I think.�

Maddy opened the end of the box and slid the wedding album out. There was nothing overly fancy about the cover. But Maddy knew that her sister would never have picked anything fancy to begin with. It just wasn�t her. �I remember this like it was yesterday,� Maddy reminisced, �I remember Angie calling me up and going �Maddy... I need you to be my maid of honor�. I was so excited. I asked her when the wedding was planned for and she was like �three weeks.� I couldn�t believe it. We literally bought the dresses right off of the racks and had them altered.� She smiled for a moment at the memory, �we drove the old ladies at the bridal shop nuts. My dress was easy to set up; they had no problems there, but Angie�s was a different story. They had to use a dress that was too big and take the whole thing in to fit her build. The poor girl had to go through like four fittings until they had the dress right.�

Xena looked over at her friend quizzically for a moment, �they didn�t have a dress in her size?�

�Well, technically, yes. But it didn�t fit her shoulders and back properly. She�s kinda built and there wasn�t enough extra material to take the dress out... sooo they had to go larger and take the whole dress in. It was a project, let me tell you.�

�Is that you?� Varia asked pointing to a picture of Maddy as she preceded her sister down the aisle.

�Yup, that�s me. I was seventeen.� Maddy sighed, �I was so nervous. It was a small wedding, neither Angie nor Joe wanted a big affair, but... well, when your walking down the aisle and you know that all eyes are on you, you definitely start to sweat a little.�

�Yes you do.� Xena replied. �Is that him?(!)�

�Yes, that�s him.� Maddy confirmed.

�Wow! Long blonde hair, blue eyes... was he as well built as he looks?� Xena asked looking sidelong at her friend.

�Oh, yeah.� Maddy traced the edge of the photograph for a moment, then spoke solemnly, �he was the sweetest guy. It�s hard to tell in this picture, but he had the cutest dimples when he smiled.�

�They look like they were very happy together,� Varia offered.

�Please, happy isn�t the word for it. They fit together like pieces to a puzzle,� Maddy let out a small chuckle. �I remember the first time I met him.� She said as she turned another page, �I was like, �wow, this guy is absolutely gorgeous,� but it was almost like he didn�t realize it. He was so sweet.� She allowed the last sentiment to hang in the air she turned another page.

�You said that twice,� came a low voice from behind.

Maddy smiled and turned to see her sister as she leaned over the back of the couch, propping herself up on her elbows smiling. �Yeah, I did. Didn�t I.�

�Well, it was true. So I guess I can�t fault ya for it.� Angela reached over Maddy�s shoulder and turned the last page, �he was perfection to me. That�s probably why I never found anyone else.� Angela paused for a moment and sighed, �nobody compared.�

�Well I can certainly see that,� Xena remarked, �was he Scandinavian or something?�

�His mother�s family came here from Holland when she was ten. You should see how light her hair is.� Angela replied.

�I can imagine,� Xena offhandedly.

�Oh, by the way... I bought �Braveheart� this afternoon. You guys up for it?� Angela asked the group.

Maddy turned back to look at her sister and furrowed her brows, �only if you have popcorn,� she said flatly.

�Ooh yeah, lots and lots of it. I picked up like six of those tubs at the video store.�

�Six?� Xena questioned.

�It�s a long movie.� came Angela�s semi-terse reply.

�What�s popcorn?� Varia asked.

�A taste bud sensation.� Maddy offered. �Don�t worry, you�ll love it. As a matter of fact,� she looked to her sister, �Angela... I think this movie will be right up her ally.�

�Oh, yeah that�s right,� Xena interjected, �there�s a lot of war and brutality.�

�Really?� Varia asked excitedly.

�Really.� Xena replied flatly.

�Good.� Varia smiled.

Realization struck Maddy as Angela left to go make the popcorn, �now Varia, there are a few things that I need to explain before this starts.�

�Ok.�

�Now this is a true story that takes place about fifteen hundred years after your time. But these are actors depicting what happened. It will look real.�

�No problem. It�s like a play then, right?�

�Exactly, only it�s going to look like these people are really being slaughtered.�

�Bring it on! I like a good fight scene.� the Amazon had a huge grin on her face.

�Ok, popcorn is ready, is the first tape in?� Angela announced as she strode out of the kitchen a short while later with four tubs of popcorn.

�All set,� Xena replied taking two of the tubs of popcorn and handing one to Maddy, �here you go, Gabrielle.� As she resumed her seat on the couch she picked up the remote and pushed play.

�Fast forward through all that garbage,� Angela said after handing Varia her own tub of popcorn and moving to sit in a large black leather recliner.

Varia picked up a piece of popcorn and studied it, turning it around between her fingers. She sniffed twice before darting her tongue out to grab a small taste.

Maddy watched in amusement for a short moment, �just pop it in your mouth silly.�

The Amazon queen looked at her, raised an eyebrow and popped the piece in her mouth, �mmmmm, Gabrielle... this is good!�

�Told ya.� Maddy smiled.

At the mid point of the movie, Xena left her place on the couch to change tapes while Angela headed off into the kitchen to make the last two tubs of popcorn.

�You know Gabrielle,� Varia began, �it�s pretty obvious that it�s not real.�

�And how�s that?� Maddy asked.

�I�ve never seen so little blood in a real battle. And every battle I've ever been in has been more brutal. It�s good though. I like it so far.�

�Well I�m glad you like it.�

�There�s one other thing...�

�Yes?�

�After fifteen hundred years, those people in Brittania still don�t know how to wash themselves?�

�And they won�t for a long time.� Maddy laughed. �That was quite observant of you.�

�Thanks.�

**********

The following morning found three of the four lounging around the pool in Angela�s backyard. �Hey, Gabrielle, where did Angela go?� Varia asked, �I thought we were going to train again?�

�We are,� Maddy began, �She usually starts about two or three hours before we do to tire herself out.� She waved her bottle of water at the Amazon as she continued, �not that we�ll notice it when we get there, though.�

�And why is that?� the Amazon looked at the blonde incredulously.

�Believe me, she won�t seem tired. A little sweaty... and I mean only a little, but not tired... OR winded,� Maddy finished before taking a sip of her water.

�Maybe she�s not working out hard enough.� The Amazon shrugged.

�Oh, believe me, she is. She put me and Xena through one of her �pre-workout workouts� and we thought that we were gonna die.� Then as an afterthought she added, �but then again, that was eight months ago and we were only lasting about two hours with her to begin with. We�re up to four now.� she smiled at the dark haired Amazon, �We�re getting better.�

�Yes we are,� Xena added as she made her way over to her friends after taking a quick dip in the pool.

�I have to ask you something,� Varia said curiously.

�Shoot,� came Xena�s reply as she rung the water out of her hair.

�Are your fighting abilities the same now as they were... are... like when you were the Warrior Princess.� the Amazon stammered out.

�Varia, just go with it,� the blonde offered with a slight smile.

�Uh, as a matter of fact no. My abilities are almost there, but my stamina is a little further off.� Blue eyes rolled with slight indignation, �the previous owner of this body saw fit to be lazy. But I must say that the two us,� motioning towards Maddy, �are probably in better shape than most people in this time.�

�You sound frustrated.� Varia stated.

�I was, and still am at times. But I�ve had a lot of fun getting back in shape. I can�t deny that.� Xena seated herself on a lawn chair opposite Maddy and Varia. �Besides,� she said as she picked up a bottle of water that she had placed there earlier. Taking a quick drink, she went on, �I know that the two of us are more than good enough to keep Angela on her toes for the next time you need her, if there ever is a next time and I honestly don�t want there to be, but at least I know that she has more than a fighting chance.�

Varia took this all in and looked at Xena for a long moment, �I don�t want there to be a next time. At least not for that.�

�I know you don�t,� Xena said quietly with a small smile.

�Do you think that it would be ok for her to visit though?� Varia asked looking back and forth between the other two women.

�I don�t know... why?� Maddy asked putting her sunglasses on top of her head.

�Well, the Summer Solstice is in two days and a large number of the Amazon�s were wondering if she would be able to come and join the... party,� Varia smiled as she shrugged her shoulders.

�Are Xena and Gabrielle gonna be there?� Maddy asked.

�Yes, you... they... whatever,� Varia waved her hand as if to wave the thought away, �yes they are.�

�Well, we�ll be there to keep an eye on her... so I guess it�s ok.� Maddy said taking another sip of her water.

�Gabrielle,� Xena drew out the name with a low voice and leaned forward in her chair, �Angela doesn�t need your permission. She is a grown woman capable of making her own decision and very capable of taking care of herself...�

�I wasn�t giving my permission. And I don�t need to be lectured about my older sister.... I worry about her ok?�

�I know that you do, and so do I, but you were still acting like her mother.� Xena leaned back in her chair awaiting a retort that never came.

Maddy sighed and looked down at her watch, �it�s almost time to meet her. Varia,� she lightly punched the Amazon in the arm, �did she give you clothes to wear?�

�Yeah, she left some stuff on the table,� the Amazon answered.

�Good, go get changed and we�ll head on over to the studio.� Maddy smiled.

�Do I really have to wear that stuff again?� the Amazon sighed.

�Yup,� came the short reply.

Varia eased herself out of the lawn chair and made her way into the house. She stared at the bundle of clothing left on the coffee table for a long moment, before grudgingly changing.

A short while later the three women arrived at Angela�s studio. Maddy retrieved her key and unlocked the door. As they entered, Xena, who had brought up the rear, locked the door back up with hers as Maddy had headed straight for the dojo. They found Angela in a low horse stance with her arms moving in slow motion. Her hands were open in in the form of a claw that slowly and methodically gripped and tore at something unseen. Her arms shook with every slow movement, her eyes were focused only on her hands. She grimaced with each movement as though it were taking all of her strength.

Varia nudged the blonde to her right lightly and whispered, �what is she doing?�

�It�s a chi-kung exercise,� Maddy shook her head slightly realizing that the Amazon wouldn�t understand, �it�s an exercise that uses dynamic tension to strengthen her hands and arms for the black tiger system that she studied.�

�Is that what made it possible for her to do the things that I have seen her do with her hands?� Varia thought back to Angela�s fight with Ming Liu when the raven haired woman had torn his heart out.

�Amongst other things, yes. There is a lot of other training involved, but exercises like that are a major staple of it.� Maddy informed the Amazon.

�Is it as hard as it looks? She�s shaking with every move.�

�It�s as hard as you make it.� Maddy stated.

Angela finished up within moments and customarily bowed. She turned to face the women standing in the open doorway, �hey guys,� she furrowed her brow for a second then asked, �are you guys early or am I running late?�

Maddy stepped into the dojo and waved her hand in dismissal, �nah, we�re early. Figured we�d get an early start.�

�Ok,� Angela said shrugging her shoulders, �well I guess, line up and I�ll take you through the warm up.� Angela took the women through a thorough warm up and stretching routine before beginning a workout that, in the end, resembled the previous day�s training. After about three hours, Angela turned to her sister, �ok Maddy... you got out of playing monkey in the middle yesterday so you�re doing double time today. Choose your weapon.�

Maddy groaned inwardly. �This is gonna be a toughy,� she thought to herself. Maddy knew full well that she could, no matter how careful she was, cause serious damage if she were to pick the sais. She opted, instead, to start out with a staff and possibly switch off to something else later.

Looking around the room, Maddy noticed that Varia had once again chosen the escrima sticks and Xena the wooden bokken. Angela had yet to choose however, as she was strapping the chest protectors onto Xena and Varia.

�Alright Maddy,� Angela began, �just sit tight for a minute and I�ll get you a chest protector,� she looked back at Varia for a brief second and watched her twirl the escrima sticks, �and some shin pads.� After Angela had her sister padded up she had Xena fit her with a chest protector. She then made her way over to the weapons rack and retrieved a five foot long Bo staff (a staff with tapered ends). She twirled it around then threw it up into the air. She spun in a quick circle and caught it. All of this done cheerleader style, then asked in a low tone, �is everyone ready?�

Everyone nodded in the affirmative. Maddy twirled her staff once in anticipation for the attack. She looked around the room at the three dark haired women before her that were merely spreading themselves out. �What are they up to?� she questioned herself.

It was Varia who attacked first. The Amazon ran at Maddy full force then skidded to a halt. Maddy wondered for a split second what was going on when she caught movement out of the corner of her eye and ducked. Xena had vaulted from her position and would have landed on Maddy had she not ducked out of the way. Maddy brought her staff around and tried to sweep Xena. Due to bad positioning and lack of leverage, Maddy was easily countered by the six foot woman and �killed.�

Angela stopped the fight momentarily. She held out a hand to help her sister up off of the floor, �what didn�t you do?�

Maddy sighed and looked at her sister, �I didn�t keep my staff against my body when I tried to sweep her, so I didn�t have the leverage to do it.�

�Ok, Xena... attack her again the same way. Maddy,� Angela turned to her sister, �you do exactly what you did before except this time keep that staff against your hip when you go for the sweep.� She turned to Xena, �ready?�

�Yup,� the ex-warrior replied. Xena executed the same somersault as before. Maddy ducked and performed the sweep again; this time however, it was picture perfect. Xena hit the floor and before she could move, the end of Maddy�s staff was at her throat. �Nice,� the raven haired woman said raising an eyebrow.

�Ok, everyone up and on with the games,� Angela looked back and forth between the women, furrowing her brow, �I�m gonna sit out for a while and observe. I have a unique opportunity so I�m gonna take it.� Angela leaned against her staff, �I�ll be coaching all of you. After a few minutes you will switch and Varia will be in the middle. Ok,� Angela clapped her hands together, �Gabrielle, start defending yourself.�

Later that afternoon found the women, once again, in the Jacuzzi. Varia relaxed herself into the hot water, positioning a knot in her back in front of a powerful jet stream, �I could get used to this,� she sighed.

�Oh yeah,� Maddy offered as she too melted into the water.

Varia nudged the raven haired woman next to her, her voice completely contented, �Angela... I�ve been meaning to ask you,� the Amazon shifted slightly moving the jet stream to another area of her back, �you wanna visit with us for the Summer Solstice?�

�When is it?� Angela asked, her eyes closed as the serenity of her surroundings unwound her aching muscles.

�Two days from when I left.�

�Sure, when do you want to leave?�

�A year or two.� Varia smiled as she sank deeper into the water, submerging her shoulders.

Xena let out a small laugh which sounded more like a snort, �I think we�ve spoiled you.�

�Oh no, you haven�t spoiled me,� Varia sighed, �I�m a queen. And I think that I deserve certain luxuries inherent to that title. What say you, Queen Gabrielle?�

Maddy opened her eyes and looked at the Amazon. Wrinkling her nose and shaking her head, she replied, �you�re asking the wrong person. I don�t believe in such luxuries... it�s the people that have to pay for it.�

�Gabrielle... even in jest your views are righteous. How do you do that?� the Amazon asked in a weary voice.

�In this lifetime, that hasn�t always been so. I�m the one with the dark past this time around.�

�You??� the Amazon asked incredulously.

�Yes me. I was a scam artist. I ripped people off.� she then added as an afterthought, �and I was damn good at it too.�

�I can�t wait to tell Gabrielle... you... I mean, UHHGG, whatever, about this.� Varia shook her head as if to clear it.

Maddy grinned at the Amazon�s confusion, �would it be easier for you to call us by our given names for this lifetime?�

�Here, wait Varia,� Angela interjected, �meet Annie and Maddy. Xena and Gabrielle look-alikes. They�ll even act like them too, if you push the right buttons.� Angela laughed as she finished.

�Smartass,� Xena growled.

�Ooh, what are you gonna do, Warrior Princess?� Angela then sat up seemingly startled. She grabbed her sister by the arm and dragged her in front of her, �save me Gabrielle! She giving me �The Look� again. I am entrenched with fear. You must DO something.�

�Let go of me this instant you little coward.� Maddy snarled as she pulled herself from her sisters grasp and began scolding her, �you are never going to grow up to be a noble, proud and mighty, especially mighty, warrior if you don�t lose that yellow streak on your back. Do you understand me?� she said the last shaking a finger at her sister.

�Yes mom,� Angela hung her head in shame as she tried desperately to keep a large grin from crossing her features.

�Good, I�m glad I made myself clear,� as Maddy moved to reposition herself in the tub, she could not help but to splash a small amount of water in her sister�s face.

Angela splashed back, but with both hands effectively getting both her sister and Xena in the process. Before long, all four were in a no holds barred water fight. After a few minutes Angela grinned slyly, �hey Xena... grab an arm and a leg.�

�What are you gonna... NO! DON�T YOU DARE!!!!� Maddy screamed as Angela and Xena took hold of her and lifted her deftly out of the Jacuzzi. �Varia... from one queen to another, you can�t let this happen... Please???�

Varia couldn�t help but to laugh at the request, but knew that something had to be done. She watched as the two raven haired women unceremoniously tossed the blonde into the deep end of the pool laughing. She waited until she saw Gabrielle come up for air and focus on the two offenders. They were still chuckling loudly when, they too, were pushed into what seemed like frigid water after being in a hot Jacuzzi. Varia stood at the edge of the pool with her hands on her hips, �so, Queen Gabrielle... was that an acceptable punishment for the offenders of your crown?�

�For now.� the blonde flatly stated.

Later that evening, Angela left with Varia to pick up a couple of Pizza�s that they had ordered for dinner.

�Xena,� Maddy lightly touched her friends arm, �I don�t think Angela should go.�

�Why?�

�Remember there was a battle a few day�s after the solstice.� it was a statement, �I don�t want her needlessly getting hurt.�

�Yes, I remember.� Xena sighed, �but I don�t think that we have to worry about it. The attack was two days after the solstice and she is coming home the day after. She�ll miss it.�

�Do you think that we should tell her, just incase.?�

�Absolutely not! Moth to a flame, Gabrielle. She�s just like me when it comes to that stuff. She would definitely stay.�

�SHIT! And if I make her promise to return the day after, she will know that something is up.� Maddy rubbed her temple for a moment, �what do we do?�

�Nothing. If either one of us had remembered when Varia brought it up, then we could have nipped it in the bud, but now...� Xena trailed off, her mind going into overdrive in an attempt to recount the battle, �if I remember correctly, there were minimal casualties. It was a small army and they weren�t very good. Maybe we�ll get lucky.� she said dropping down onto the couch.

�Maybe, but I got injured during that battle...�

�Yes, but it wasn�t bad... it was only a couple of stitches. That wouldn�t be enough to send her over the edge again, if that�s what your thinking.�

�I hope not,� Maddy finished just as her sister and the Amazon came through the door with the food, �mmm, smells good.� she said trying to lighten her mood.

�Oh... and don�t worry, Maddy,� Angela began as she closed the front door, �Varia waited in the truck. She didn�t have to speak to anyone this time.� She placed the two pies on the coffee table side by side, �ok, ladies... dig in.�

Maddy sauntered into the kitchen and returned with four plates and handed them out. Sliding a steaming slice onto a plate for herself, sat down and as she began eating, watched the Amazon . Varia slid a slice onto her own plate in the same manner as everyone else. She sniffed the pie, �smells good,� she noted aloud. She then picked at the cheese and wincing in pain, pulled her hand back, �ouch... that really is hot.� She looked up to see Angela and Maddy attempting to eat the hot pizza, but she could clearly see that they were burning their mouths pretty badly. Xena however, had put two slices on a plate for herself, most likely to hide the food from the always ravenous sisters, and was patiently waiting for the food to cool a bit. �It�s better if I wait, isn�t it?� Varia asked the blue eyed woman across from her.

�Just a couple of minutes. It�s best when it�s hot, but those two are ridiculous.� she jerked a thumb in the direction of the blonde and her sister. �I guess I may as well put the movie in while I�m waiting.� she sighed.

�I need a napkin, I�ll be back with a stack,� Angela stated as she strolled into the kitchen.

�Ooh, what movie...oh that�s hot... what movie are you putting in?� Maddy asked between bites of her pizza.

�Well, I thought that you mentioned earlier that you wanted to watch �The Princess Bride.�� Xena said as she rifled through the Angela�s video cabinet looking for the movie.

�I did, but you didn�t sound like you wanted to watch it.� Maddy responded.

�Yeah, well... a couple more fight scenes...�

�Oh, don�t even get started. You can�t fool me, I know you like that movie.� Maddy could hear a low noise coming from her friend across the room, �growling at me isn�t going to work, so save it Princess.�

�I wasn�t growling.� Xena said flatly.

�Yeah, ok,� Maddy said putting her third slice of pizza on her plate.

�I wasn�t. I moaned.� Xena was now sitting cross legged in front of the video cabinet peering in.

�You moaned.� it was a statement. Maddy took a bite out of her pizza then asked with her mouth full, �why did you moan?�

Xena let out a deep sigh and hung her head for a brief moment before returning her eyes to the cabinet, �I can�t find it. And you, no doubt, will think that it�s on purpose and find it as soon as you walk over.� Xena turned to look at her blonde friend, �then you�re gonna cross your arms and smile smugly at me, never believing that I really just couldn�t find it.�

�Oh, don�t worry Xena,� Angela cut in with a smile, �she wouldn�t have found it either.�

�Why not?� the blue eyed woman asked.

�It�s already in the machine. I set it up before we left.� Angela reclaimed her seat and pointed at the remote, �just push play.�

*****

The following morning, Varia had a gleam in her eye as Angela reacquainted her with the basics of quad riding. �Ok, this is the gas.� Angela pointed to a small black lever just below the right hand grip, �your thumb works it. Nice and easy until you get used to it again.� She then pointed out the silver levers in front of both the right and left grips, �these are your hand brakes and that,� she brought Varia�s attention down to a lever in front of the right foot peg, �is your foot operated brake. Now, if you�ll remember, as soon as you let up on the gas, the quad will slow right down and basically come to a stop on its own. It just takes time for that to happen. If for any reason, you feel like you might be losing control or you feel out of balance, take your thumb off of the gas and ease down on the brake. You got that so far?�

Varia couldn�t keep the smile off of her face, �yeah, I remember most of it.�

�Good... let�s go over how to shift.� Angela knelt down on the left side of the quad and, by hand, went through the gears. She then glanced over how to use the �Reverse� lever. She didn�t think that the Amazon would need it, but knowing how to use it might come in handy. Afterwards, Angela kept pace with the Amazon, who was riding the quad, around the yard to make sure that she remembered how to handle the bike before they went out.

The four friends went out for a leisurely ride lasting about three hours. Xena and Varia wanted to stay out longer, but the growls emanating from the stomachs of the two sisters bade them to return. After returning and eating a light lunch, Angela was the first to hit the shower, followed by Xena and her sister.

�Ok, Varia,� Maddy said as she entered the living room towel drying her hair, �it�s your turn.�

�Can I take a bath instead? I don�t like that waterfall.� the Amazon asked.

�Yeah sure. I�ll help you set it up.� the blonde turned and led the way into the bathroom.

A few minutes later, Maddy emerged from the steam filled bathroom brushing her damp hair out as she walked. She met up with her sister and Xena out back lounging on the deck.

Xena looked over to the blonde walking through the sliding glass doors, the reflection of the afternoon sun glinted off of the ex-warriors mirrored sunglasses, �so is Varia all set up?�

�Yup, she didn�t like the �poor excuse for a waterfall� quote unquote, so I set her up with a bath. Those sunglasses are too much, Xena,� Maddy took seat between the two raven haired women, �anyway, I found Angie�s secret stash of Mr. Bubble and hooked her up good.�

Xena let out a bellowing laugh, �Mr. Bubble?�

Angela let out a deep sigh, removed her sunglasses and leaned across her sister, and in a low growl said, �you got a problem with that?�

�Ladies! Please!� Maddy said as she attempted to push her sister back into her chair. �Angela, there is nothing wrong with Mr. Bubble, I use it all the time...� she then turned to her friend of many lives, �and Xena, don�t go getting all high and mighty. I know about your little stash of the stuff too.�

Xena was caught speechless for a few moments, �how did you know about that?�

�I didn�t,� Maddy grinned from ear to ear, �you just told me.�

Angela let out a raucous laugh, �gotcha!!!!�

Xena looked up at the sky shaking her head then resettled herself in her chair. �Gabrielle?�

�Yeah, Xena?� Maddy said with a sly grin.

�Stop that.�

�Stop what?�

�Reading me like an open book.� the blue eyed woman laced her fingers together and rested her hands across her stomach.

�Can�t help it Xena. I got your number.�

Xena unlaced her fingers and playfully backhanded the blonde�s arm, �oh yeah? Well I got yours so you�d better watch out.�

�I�m shakin� in my boots Princess.� Maddy laughed. After a few minutes, the blonde�s features became somber, though she tried to hide it.

Angela was shaken from her thoughts surrounding the peacefulness of this early summer afternoon by her sister�s sudden change in demeanor. She eyed up the blonde sidelong for a moment then put her hand on a trembling forearm, �what�s wrong?�

�Nothing... I just get nervous when you go back.� Maddy tried to hide the shakiness in her voice.

Xena sighed inwardly and thought to herself, �she�s gonna blow it. I knew she couldn�t keep her mouth shut.�

Angela took all of this in. Her sister�s uneasiness and the suddenly stoic appearance of her friend sent dozen�s of questions flying through her mind. �Spill it, Maddy,� she half whispered.

Maddy looked over at the blue eyed woman to her left, speechless. With her eyes she implored Xena to attempt to explain the situation. The ex-warrior bowed her head for a moment then removed her sunglasses, leaned forward in her chair and softly spoke, �Angela... two days after the solstice there will be a raid on the Amazon village. There will be minimal casualties and no deaths that I can remember on the part of the Amazons. The army that will attack will be more or less a rag tag bunch with little fighting skills. A bunch of dead, overzealous imbeciles is what they will turn out to be.�

�Maddy?� Angela moved from her chair and knelt down in front of her sister, �what are you so worried about?�

�Anything can happen.� the blonde choked out.

�Maddy... I told you that I had intended to come back the day after. I would�ve missed it.�

�Had... would�ve? You are staying now aren�t you?� A single tear escaped.

�I won�t if you can honestly say that neither you nor Xena receive any injuries,� Angela took her sister�s hands in her own, �you�re destiny, in that life, is to fight for the �greater good.� My destiny, in this life, is to make sure that you can.�

Maddy closed her eyes for a second and took a deep breath, �now I know how the people that cared for me and Xena felt every time we went off into some battle.�

�Angie,� Xena began softly, �Gabrielle will get a small injury in her shoulder. Just a couple of stitches... and we only did that to be sure. She comes out of it fine and the wound won�t affect her through the battle.�

�Xena... why did you tell her?!� Maddy shot out looking daggers at her friend.

Xena leaned towards the blonde and put a hand on her shoulder, �because she asked for the truth, Gabrielle.�

�Maddy? Maddy look at me,� Angela implored. Her eyes filled with compassion as her sister turned to face her, �I promise you that I will come back the morning after Solstice. Ok?�

�Ok. I trust you Angela. I have all the faith in world in you, but I have a really bad feeling about this if you stay that one extra day. I don�t know what it is.... I wish I did. But I can�t shake it either.� Maddy took a deep breath, �I�m going to hold you to your promise... you know that don�t you?�

�You always do,� Angela smiled at her sister warmly, �you always do.�

Varia emerged through the sliding glass doors seconds later toweling her hair dry, �hey Gabrielle you got that brush... uh oh, what�s wrong?� The Amazon stopped a few paces from where the blonde sat.

Angela looked at her sister thoughtfully then turned to look at the Amazon as she rose, �nothing, she�s worried about me getting into trouble. That�s all.� She resettled herself in her chair.

�Oh.� the Amazon said in a quizzical manner. �There are four tribes there, Cyane�s being one of them. She�ll be well protected.� Varia found another lawn chair and placed it next to Xena, the four chairs now creating a semi-circle, �and besides, you two are gonna be there.� the Amazon shrugged her shoulders, �I could post a dozen guards around her at all times, if that would help.�

�No, you don�t need to do that.� Maddy said with a slight shake of her head. �She promised to be careful and to come back the day after Solstice. That�s all I need.�

�Ok, suit yourself... Can I borrow that brush?�

�Yeah sure,� Maddy passed the brush to Xena who handed it to the Amazon.

�Thanks,� Varia said with a smile, then began brushing out her long dark tresses.

The four women bantered back and forth for about an hour before a low growl was heard. Xena playfully slapped the blonde in the arm, �hungry?�

�That wasn�t me... for once.�

Sheepishly, Angela turned to the ex-warrior, �no, it was me this time.�

So what do you want to do for dinner?� Xena asked.

�Uhhh, I don�t know. Something good, filling, and well... something that won�t remind me of the road kill that I�ll be eating for the next couple of days.�

�Pizza again?� Xena sighed.

Maddy stood and began walking into the house, �I�ll go order.�

Later that evening, they made their way to Angela�s studio. After locking the door, Angela sauntered into her office and unpacked her leathers. �hello old friend,� she whispered as she relished the feel of the well oiled black leather in her hands. She slid into the leather top and reached behind her tighten the laces when she heard a soft knock on the office door, �yeah?�

Maddy slipped into the office, closing the door behind her, �need a hand?�

�Sure. Can you lace me up?� Angela asked.

Maddy nodded and proceeded to tighten and tie the laces. Afterwards, Angela changed into the bottom half. She turned to look into a full length mirror that hung on the inside of her closet door. The armor still fit perfectly. The leather top came down to just above her naval and was sleeveless with light padding in the shoulders for protection. It had a deep �V� in the front. The bottom half was more like cloth shorts with studded inch and a half wide leather strips that hung down in the front and rear; held together by a wide belt with the head of a tiger inlaid in silver on the front. Working their way around the belt were the heads of a snake, crane, dragon and leopard, also inlaid in silver.

She turned as she noticed in the mirror her sister coming up behind her with a pair of black leather boots. �here you go,� Maddy said as she tried to smile.

�Thanks,� Angela took the offered boots and slipped them on, adjusting the knee pads into their proper place.

�Ready for the armbands?� Maddy asked.

�Yup,� the raven haired woman replied. She held her arm out to her sister who slid a silver armband, etched with the form of a stalking tiger, up her arm and brought it to rest on her right bicep. She then did the same with the other. �Ok, time for the gauntlets.� Angela sighed.

Maddy picked up the first gauntlet, it had the form of a tiger, matching the burn in her sister�s right arm, inlaid in silver. She deftly put it place and reached for the next. The second one had the form of a dragon, matching the burn in Angela�s left arm. �All set?� Maddy asked.

�Nope, not yet.� Angela turned back to the closet and produced a wooden box. She laid it on her desk and opened it, �can�t forget the weapons,� Angela said as she unwrapped each of the six knives that complimented her armor. She slid the two boot knives home, then reached for two small daggers that fit into the back of her belt, nearly concealed. The last two daggers found homes on either side of her hips. �The katana is hanging up in the dojo.�

�Yeah, I... I know,� Maddy turned quickly towards the door, but was stopped by a strong hand on her arm.

�Maddy, wait,� Angela whispered. She waited for her sister to turn towards her then went on, �you�re worried because I took all of my weapons... aren�t you?� The blonde woman merely nodded her head. Angela sighed, �I have to. Better safe than sorry... right?�

�I know. It�s not just that though.� Maddy looked up into her sister�s eyes, �I have this feeling of foreboding that if you go, things are going to change.�

�If it bothers you that much, I�ll stay.�

Maddy sighed deeply, �I talked about it with Xena. She doesn�t feel anything different. I don�t know,� Maddy brought her hand up to her temple and began rubbing small circles, �it might just be me.�

�How do you mean?�

�Ugh, I can be such a worry wart sometimes... you go and enjoy yourself. Just be careful and come back to me.�

�I will, and I promise,� Angela gave her sister a tight hug then walked her out into the dojo.

�Took you long enough,� Xena drawled out, �which sword are you using?�

�The katana,� Angela said as she walked over to the sword where it hung on the back wall of the room to the right of the office door. As she took it off of the wall she realized that she had forgotten something, �can�t go anywhere without the stone.�

�I�ll get it,� Xena offered as she walked towards the office door, �is it in the safe?�

�Yup,� Angela replied. She then turned to her sister, �are you sure about this?�

�No... but I think that it�s just me.� the blonde paused for a moment then added, �if anything does happen, just keep it together, I�ll be there for you.�

�I know you will.�

Xena returned with the Chronus stone and handed it to the Amazon, �ok, you guys are all set.�

The women said their goodbye�s. As Angela and Varia disappeared, the hairs on the back of Xena�s neck rose and her flesh crawled, �Ares,� she said looking around the room. Instantly, though, the sensations were gone.

�Xena, what�s wrong?� the blonde�s eye�s reiterated the fear audible in her voice.

�I could swear that I just felt Ares� presence, but then all of a sudden,� the tall woman took a deep breath, �it was gone.�

�Well that�s weird,� Maddy contemplated it for a moment, �maybe when the portal opened up you felt him. I mean... we are there. And didn�t you run into him right before the Solstice?�

�Uhhhmm,� Xena closed her eyes in thought for a moment trying to picture the events of those few days, �yes, as a matter of fact I did. It was either two or three days before the Solstice and it was just outside of the village.�

�Ok, so there you go.� Maddy said with a smile. �Oh, Xena,� the blonde whined, �she�s teaching me another campfire song.�

�Yeah I know... where the hell did she get a lyre from?�

�I have no clue.� Maddy said shaking her head in disbelief. The two began making their way to the large office when the blonde turned to her companion, �did you bring a movie with you?�

�Yup, but I left it in the truck. I�ll go get it. You start plugging in the TV/VCR combo Angie has stashed in there for her library of training videos.�

�No problem. Oh, by the way, what movie did you bring?�

Xena smiled from ear to ear, �Drop Dead Gorgeous.�

�YESSSS!!�

*****

Angela and Varia appeared in the village less than a candle mark from when the Amazon had left. At the sight of them, the Warrior Princess stiffened, �Ares,� she whispered.

The bard stopped dead in her tracks and turned to her friend, �he�s back again?�

�Yup.�

�I guess that punch in the nose yesterday wasn�t convincing enough.� Gabrielle sighed.

�No, I... that�s odd,� the warrior stated in slight confusion, �he�s gone.�

�Maybe he was just checking up on you?� the bard offered.

�Probably,� the warrior said with a frown, �he has been known to do that from time to time.�

�Don�t I know it,� the bard chuckled. She then turned her attention to two raven haired women swiftly making their way towards her and the Warrior Princess, �Angela! it�s been a long time.� she gathered the green eyed woman into a hug then released her, �I�m glad you were able to make it.�

�So am I,� she turned to the warrior, �Xena, how�s it going?�

�Not bad,� the Warrior Princess smiled. �So how long are you here for?�

�I leave the day after Solstice.� Angela informed her.

The bard knitted her brows together for a moment, �you could stay longer, you know. Why not stay a week and we could all head into town. Have a good time.�

�I wish I could, but I promised my sister that I would come back no later than the day after Solstice.� the futuristic woman said earnestly.

�Was she adamant about it?� the bard asked with a questioning gaze.

�Yes she was, and I am not about to piss her off. Invoking her wrath is the last thing I want to do.� Angela chuckled lightly as she said the last.

�Tell me about it,� the warrior mumbled.

�What was that?� the bard put her hands on her hips as she pivoted to stare into the eyes of the Warrior Princess, �I don�t think I heard that correctly.�

�Apparently you did.� the warrior nervously scratched the back of her head, squirming under the intense glare of the bard.

�And what�s that supposed to mean?� the bard took a step forward to come within inches of her friend, �well?�

�Well,� the warrior straightened to her full six feet and took a deep breath, �you have been known to have a bit of a temper, Gabrielle.� The warrior braced herself for what was to come.

�I DO NOT,� the bard began then poked the warrior in the chest once for each word for added emphasis, �HAVE A TEMPER PROBLEM!� the bard was now standing toe to toe with the warrior and breathing like a bull about to charge.

�Gabrielle,� Angela laid tentative hand on the bard�s shoulder, �calm down....�

�Don�t tell me to calm down. I do not have a temper problem and I....�

�You just proved that you do.� Angela pointed out.

�You insolent little... oh no,� the bard stopped her tirade, momentarily deflated as the realization of her anger struck, and closed her eyes for a brief second. She threw her hands up in defeat, �Ugh, by the god�s. I�m sorry. Xena, Angela... I�m sorry.�

�Actually,� Angela began as her mind quickly sifted through the many blackmail possibilities, �you wouldn�t have said it if you really didn�t feel that way at some level.�

�You are not an insolent bitch, Angela. I really don�t know where that came from.� the bard�s apologetic tones did not sway the woman before her from her quest.

�Bitch? I didn�t get to hear that part,� Angela heard a groan escape the bard. She smiled inwardly then went on, �I did catch the �little� part though. And I am not little. Maybe compared to Xena, but not to you, your worshipfulness. I�m two inches taller, bigger in build and,� after casting a glance between herself and the bard, �slightly better endowed.�

�That was uncalled for.� the bard shot out.

Angela took note of the warrior standing directly behind the bard with a grin on her face that threatened to erupt into full blown laughter. She looked back at the bard and asked in a low velvety tone, �now will you admit that I am an insolent bitch?�

�Ok, out with it Angela. What are you trying to accomplish?� the bard put her hands on her hips and strode forward, stopping two paces from the raven haired woman.

�Ah shit. Alright... wanna grab a keg of ale?� Angela asked shyly.

The bard cringed. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She tilted her head slightly to the side, �tell me that you didn�t just try to drive me insane to make me more willing to get drunk with you.�

�Uh, no. That�s exactly what I was doing.� Angela stated matter-of-factly.

*****

�I love this movie... �she�s skinny Amber, she�s not deaf.�� Maddy repeated the lines to a scene in the movie she and Xena were busy watching.

After wiping tears of laughter from her eyes and composing herself, Xena nudged her companion, �as funny as this movie is, I can�t get that rousing rendition of �Row, Row, Row Your Boat� out of my head.�

�Don�t laugh,� Maddy said slyly, �you were almost drunk enough to join in.�

�Oh, no Gabrielle, that�s not even it.� the ex-warrior wiped at her eyes again, �it�s just the way she stood there with that twig in her hand like a conductor and the way she had you and those three poor, defenseless Amazons broken down into groups with your own parts.�

Maddy chuckled at the memory, �yeah, I really need to talk to her about these so called �campfire songs.� Jeez, you know I thought �99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall� was bad, but this takes the cake.�

�No Gabrielle, don�t you dare.� Xena began between laughing fits, �that girl has given us some great memories. Don�t you go trying to change that.�