Chapter X

Xena caught Lucy’s eye as she and Amy stepped from the bus and headed to the lobby.  A touch on the elbow was all the direction Amy needed to understand Lucy’s intent.  She leaned over and brushed a kiss over Lucy’s lips, then headed off to catch up with Max, Janet, and Scud.  Dominique had already found her date for the weekend and had separated from them as soon as the conference was over for the day.  Amy shook her head.  She knew Dom wasn’t missing anything… not really.  After all, Xena and Gabrielle put together a compilation of both conferences and the extracurriculars as part of the package - recording that was a large part of Lucy’s responsibility, after all - but it wasn’t the same as being there and watching to remember.  Still, it was Dominique’s life and as long as she was happy….  Amy linked her arms with Max and Janet as they headed to the elevator.

Max looked at her and reached for her gun.  “Trouble in paradise?” she asked, moving to untuck her gun from her back holster.  “Do I need to go cut a Diamond?”

Amy snatched her arm from Janet’s and covered Max’s hand before she could pull the weapon from its holster amid the crowded lobby.  “What?!  Max, NO!” patting the hand and trying to lower her voice enough to turn attention away from them.  She patted the hand holding the gun, and gently removed it, bringing it around to hold in her own.  Max flinched, but didn’t pull away, knowing Amy would explain.  “No… everything is fine.  Xena just needed to speak to Lucy privately, so I figured I’d ride up with you guys since we’re on the same floor.  Nothing more… nothing less.”

Max’s expression grew even more serious, but it was Janet that spoke up. “Is everything okay?  Is there anything we can do?”

Amy shook her head and smiled wanly.  “I don’t think so.  I’m sure they’ll let us know if there is.”

“As long as they know we’re here for them,” Max added.

“They do,” Amy assured them.  “And I know they appreciate it.  It’s probably just some sort of scheduling thing.  Xena would ask Lucy to fill in for her, you know, if something came up.  She’s done it before.”

“Yeah… all right.  As long as you’re sure things are good….”

“Things are fine, Max.  I promise.  But thank you for caring,” wrapping Max in a hug before she could protest and letting go before she got antsy.

“Whatever,” she replied diffidently, but she couldn’t wipe the smirk from her lips nor hide the twinkle in her eyes as they stepped onto the elevator.

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

Gabrielle touched Barbara’s shoulder as she rolled into the hotel, with Helena gently guiding her through the myriad of women still clustered in the lobby area.  Most were good and aware enough to allow her a wide berth to maneuver, but in situations like this, when everyone was clustered together, it was nearly impossible.  There simply wasn’t sufficient space without her bumping into someone with every movement.  At least with Helena driving, she was saved the indignity of bruised elbows and battered toes.

When Gabrielle’s hand touched her shoulder, Barbara immediately looked up and Helena halted dead in her tracks, knowing Gabrielle wouldn’t be stopping them without satisfactory cause.  A tilt of the blonde head caused an answering nod from the redhead, and the brunette simply asked, “Do you need me?”

Gabrielle looked at her solemnly and nodded.  “Huntress would be welcome.”

The shift in the air was palpable when Helena’s eyes flickered gold for a moment.  “Would you like me to find the Double D’s as well?” making Gabrielle smile at her nickname for Dinah and Diana.

“If you can find Dinah, I believe Xena is speaking to Diana,” tilting her head across the room.

Helena nodded.  “We’ll meet you upstairs.”  She leaned down and touched her lips to Barbara’s.  “Love you, Red.”  Then she was gone before Barbara could reply.  Gabrielle assume her place behind the wheelchair, and those still left downstairs parted automatically for her.  Barbara waited until they were in the elevator and headed to the penthouse before she spoke.

“How did you do that?”

Gabrielle chuckled.  “Years of practice.”  She laughed even harder at Barbara’s upraised eyebrow, her countenance clearly one of disbelief.  “Remember who my teacher was,” she counseled, watching the disbelief fade into admiration with a smirk.

“She taught you that?”

“Among other things.”  She pushed Barbara into the wide hallway, then let her assume the driving herself, as she preferred.  Gabrielle led the way to their penthouse, glad the suites were mirrors of one another, so there was little likelihood of them disturbing the Grants no matter how long this took.  “C’mon,” she invited Barbara as she crossed the threshold.  “I’ll have some drinks and munchies brought up… just in case.  I’m not sure how long this is gonna take.”

“That bad?”

“I don’t think it’s going to be good.”

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

As soon as Xena had Lucy’s attention, she nodded her understanding, and kissed Amy goodnight before she moved to a far corner of the lobby to get out of the mainstream of traffic.  She figured whatever the hell it was that had happened tonight at the bonfire with that freaky horse and rider chick had caused some unforeseen consequences, and now it was time to come up with a plan… or pay the piper.  She was all for making plans, especially considering how real and creepy that thing had seemed.  She had no desire to find out how real it was… or how true those stories Gabrielle told were.

She watched as Xena stopped Diana Prince and some other woman from Gabrielle’s side of the hall, she thought, and wondered just how much more bizarre the night could get.  Then she decided not to think on that too much.  She’d know what she needed to know soon enough.

Meanwhile, Xena caught Diana as soon as she and Kara stepped from the garage into the lobby.  She passed off the keys, like that was why Xena was meeting them, and Xena accepted them with a nod.  Then she spoke.  “We need to see you upstairs for a few minutes, please.”

The ‘please’ was spoken as a courtesy, but both Diana and Xena knew it was only a courtesy and not a request.  Diana bowed her head.  “As you wish, Consort.”

“Um… excuse me,” wondering who this woman really was that she would deserve such obeisance from one of the most powerful women on Earth and a princess to her people.  “Could I… is there something I could do to help?  Diana can vouch for me.  I promise I’m much more….”

“You are indeed much more, Kara,” Xena cut in before she could continue.  “Probably more than even you realize, yet.  However, if you’re looking to be an ally here, understand that we are inviting Kara Zor-El.”

Blue eyes widened comically, and her jaw dropped open in shock.  “How did you…? Who are…? Did someone…?  Where did you…?  How do you know that name??” her shock turning to anger.  “Who are you??” standing straight and tall and letting Supergirl show in her eyes and bearing.  She looked down when she felt Diana’s touch on her wrist and cocked her head without losing the fierceness of her expression.  “Diana?”

“It’s all right, Kara.  I promise.  Remember what I said earlier?  Xena and Gabrielle are the real deal.  And I guarantee, if you give them the chance, you’ll be glad you did.  It’ll be one of the best things to happen to you… ever.”

“That’s pretty high praise,” Kara allowed after a long minute studying Diana’s eyes, before turning back to Xena.  “Can you live up to it?”

Xena just smiled.  “C’mon.  Lucy’s waiting.  We’ll fill you in upstairs, and if you ask nicely, Gabrielle might just share some of her other stories with you.

Helena and Dinah met them at the elevator, and they were silent on the ride up.  They remained so in the hallway, well aware that the Press Secretary occupied the suite opposite Xena and Gabrielle; they didn’t want to disturb her or her son if possible.  Xena slipped the keycard into the lock, then motioned the others to enter in front of her.  

“Hold the door, Xe,” Gabrielle asked from across the living space where she and Barbara were ensconced and the rest were filing in.  “Room service just gave me a call they were on their way up.”  Xena nodded and turned to wait, not terribly surprised when Kara Danvers - Kara Zor-El - came to stand beside her with her arms crossed over her chest.

“How did you know?  About me, I mean.  I know there are certain levels of the government where it is common knowledge,” she turned and gave Xena a piercing stare without her glasses, “but you don’t strike me as the type.”

Xena smirked, though she didn’t turn her gaze from the hallway, allowing Kara the perusal she needed.  “Be careful not to judge solely on what you see, young pup.  I am many things… most of which you would never guess if you didn’t know.”  The elevator opened, and two young men walked out pushing room service carts.  “Besides,” she whispered in an aside, “a ponytail and glasses?  Did you learn nothing from Clark?”

Kara might have responded… if she could have thought of something to say.  Instead, Xena chuckled and moved them both out of the way so the wait staff could get by to set up the carts.  It only took a minute, and the two nodded gratefully when Xena signed the check, adding a generous tip.

“Thank you, ma’am,” accepting the bill back.  “You can leave the carts here, and housekeeping will call us to pick them up tomorrow when they come in to clean.  Or you can move them to the hall - whatever is more convenient for you.”

Xena smiled and ushered them out the door.  “Thank you.”

“Have a good night, ma’am,” they offered as they crossed to the elevator.  “Goodnight,” nodding at Kara.

“Ma’am?” Kara snorted with laughter as Xena closed and locked the door.

“I learned a long time ago never to correct someone else’s good manners, no matter how old-fashioned they seemed to me.  Somebody took the time to teach it - not my business to try and undo it.  Besides, the world’s a little nicer place where courtesy and respect are shown.”  Kara’s eyes widened.  She hadn’t quite expected the ferocity her joke had garnered her.  Xena patted her shoulder.  “Don’t worry - I’m old and tired, and that’s something of a hot button for me.”

Kara nodded and moved to sit down next to Diana, when Gabrielle reached out and caught her hand gently.  “Sit next to me?  I promise I don’t bite unless your name’s Xena,” giving her a broad grin.  “And I promise to answer your questions if you still have any when we’re all done.”

“I’d like that.  I’m still confused….”

“About a lot of things, I bet,” watching Kara nod slowly.  “Let me bring you up to speed so you’re at least in the same place as everyone else, and then we can talk about why we’re here, now… specifically.”  She looked around the room at the friends waiting patiently to find out why they’d been brought to this place at ‘way-too-early-in-the-morning’ o’clock.  “I’m gonna go out on a limb here, and say you’re probably at least passing acquaintances with everyone except Lucy,” who raised her hand in a half wave.  “Lucy Diamond is a former thief who serves as Xena’s second in this convention, and who is on a retainer with our company as an expert thief.”

“Wait… what?”

Everyone chuckled, including Lucy.  She rose and crossed to the beverage cart, grabbing a soda for herself, and handing one to both Dinah and Kara before she retook her seat.  “I’m paid for my knowledge.  Xena runs a security firm… among other things.  My job is to find the holes that need to be filled when a client is looking for a security system.  Sometimes, she’ll even let me do a run when they think she’s exaggerating their need.”  She shrugged.  “It keeps me in practice.”

“And it’s something some of the rest of us have utilized on occasion,” Diana admitted.

“Wait… what?”

Laughter went around the room again, and Kara joined in this time, though her skin was flushed pink with embarrassment at the thought that they were laughing at her instead of with her.  Gabrielle’s gentle touch and soft smile made her tilt her head in question, though she couldn’t will the blush away.

“They’re not laughing at you, Kara.  You see, they’ve had years to get to know one another… and to know one another’s secrets.  They all reacted to Lucy the same way at one time or another, just as she did the same to each of them.”

Kara looked around the room.  “So, there are no secrets here?”

“There are still secrets - little things, or things that are too personal to share with everyone.  But the big secrets, well… they’re not secrets here, among friends and colleagues… family, if you will.  What you need to decide before we go further, is if you can trust us.  If you’re willing for the women in this room to know the truth about you and who you are.”

Kara sat silently for several long moments, studying each woman closely in turn.  They allowed it, knowing she needed to feel comfortable with them before she could begin to trust them.  Finally, she looked at Gabrielle.  “I think I know some of the secrets.  I mean… I recognize Huntress and Canary from time I’ve spent in Gotham with Br… um, Batman.  And I’m pretty certain that means Oracle is here as well,” with a nod in Barbara’s direction, smiling when her knowledge was confirmed.  “Wonder Woman was the first to welcome me to the JLA, and we’ve become friends beyond the superhero connection.  And you’ve just told me about Lucy.  But I can’t figure out who you are,” gesturing between Xena and Gabrielle.  She turned and looked at Diana again.  “You’re sure?”

Diana smiled gently and nodded.  “I’m sure, Kara - enough that I’ve sworn fealty to my Queen and her Consort and would lay down my life for them, if necessary.”

Kara’s eyes widened at the words and the surety of her tone, but she nodded her acceptance matter-of-factly.  “All right, then.  My name is Kara Zor-El, from the planet Krypton.  I was sent here by my parents before my planet was destroyed, though it was discovered not too long ago that parts of it still exist.  On Earth, I’m known as Supergirl.”  She wasn’t sure what kind of reception she expected, but having Xena put a bowl of potstickers in her hands wasn’t it.  She chuckled and shook her head.  “There really aren’t many secrets here, are there?” accepting the chopsticks and moaning at the first bite.  “My fabe…rit,” she mumbled around a mouthful.

Gabrielle laughed.  “I told you there were no big secrets, and your love of food - and potstickers particularly - is quite a well-known, documented fact if you have the resources and know where to go looking.  What else you chose to share will be up to you but know that we are all here to talk and listen.  Now, how about we go around the room so you can put human names to superhero faces, and then I’ll tell you a little about Xena and myself?  Then we’ll talk about what brought us here tonight.”

Kara got the distinct impression Gabrielle knew far more than she was letting on or would even admit to, but she was happily filling a belly that hadn’t been full in hours, so she simply nodded her agreement, and turned her attention the women seated around the room.  Barbara was at the outside edge by necessity, and it was she who spoke first.

“I’m Barbara Gordon - schoolteacher by day; Oracle by night.  Although, I would appreciate it if you don’t share that around.  Not generally speaking,” she hastened on at Kara’s frown, “because I don’t think you would, but within the JLA.  Only a very few select members know who I am, and I’d prefer to keep it that way if possible.”

There were a myriad of questions Kara wanted to ask - not the least of which was why - but she nodded her acceptance of Barbara’s request.  Then her gaze moved to Helena, who let her eye flash gold.

“I’m Helena Kyle - bartender when I’m scheduled; metahuman all the time - though until I met Supergirl, I’d never really met anyone who enjoyed eating the same way I do.”  They exchanged wry smiles.  “I’m Huntress on the vigilante clock and still not a big fan of the ‘no kill’ rule some days.”

“Not a line you want to cross,” Kara assured her, and Helena’s eyes widened in surprise before accepting Kara’s words with slight bow.

“Dinah Lance... um, Canary,” drawing attention to herself and cutting the tension in the room.  “I’m working at Wayne Industries,” ignoring the slight growl Helena emitted, “in the R&D division.  I’m a touch telepath, though I can sense strong emotion, especially if it’s being projected nearby or by more than one person.  Remind me to tell you about the first convention.”  She shook her head.  “That was a doozy.”

Smiles broke out around the room with murmurs of agreement, and Kara made note to asked for elucidation later.  She looked squarely at Dinah.  “Wow.  That explains a whole lot… especially after….  Are you all right? After last night, I mean?”

Dinah smiled.  “I’m fine.  Helena helped me repair my shields, and I don’t plan on doing something like that ever again.  Not a fun experience, but lesson learned, right?”

Kara nodded fervently and turned to face Diana.  “I am Diana Prince, Daughter of Hippolyta, Regent of the Amazon Nation.”

“I thought you were the Amazon Princess.”

“She is,” Gabrielle cut in.  “Her mother refuses to accept the position of Queen, though she rules when the Queen is not with the Nation… which is most of the time.”

“You’re the Queen.”

“I am.”

“And Xena is your Consort.  Your mate.”

“She is.”

Kara frowned again, hands still as she tried to put together a picture she couldn’t quite see.  “What am I missing here?  How are you the Amazon Queen?  I’ve been to Themiscyra - Paradise Island - and I’ve read the stories… seen the scrolls in the library.  And I’ve heard some of the origin stories.  I know Hippolyta has been Queen… sorry, Regent… for a very long time.  Where exactly do you fit into this?”

Her tone wasn’t disrespectful, but it was full of confusion.  Gabrielle took pity on her and motioned Xena forward with another bowl of potstickers.  That was signal enough for the rest to fill their plates despite the late hour.  Then everyone returned to their seats and sat back… waiting.  They knew they were in for a rare, private performance of Gabrielle as a bard.


Chapter XI

“Honestly, Artie… I’m not sure what to tell you.  We’ve been here for three days, and there’s no sign of Anne Rice’s typewriter.  We’ve even taken a couple of the haunted tours; there’s nothing here in New Orleans.  Maybe we should have gone to California.  There’s every possibility she’s still writing on it.”

“You seriously believe she isn’t using a computer at this point, Myka?  C’mon - the woman has a Facebook page, for heaven’s sakes!”

H.G. Wells put a hand on Myka Bering’s lower back, feeling her relax into the touch before she exploded at Artie.  Her divorce from Pete, mere months into their marriage, had left her feeling like a failure, and this frantic goose chase wasn’t helping to dispel that feeling.  Her only saving grace about the entire fiasco was that her friendship with Pete had not only survived, it had grown stronger.  Still, she didn’t like to be reminded of her inadequacies.

“Speaking as an author,” HG cut in before tempers could flare, “I considered my typewriter to be something of a talisman.  Every story I wrote on it became a popular hit.  Those I wrote any other way - whether by hand or on someone else’s machine - were questionable at best.  As Myka has pointed out, there is every likelihood Ms Rice still has her typewriter with her.”

“Then why would the Warehouse send you to New Orleans?”

Eyes having wandered away from the Farnsworth in an effort not to raise her voice at Artie, they were caught by the movement on something that caused her jaw to drop and her eyes to round in shock. “Oooh, shit,” Myka mumbled when she realized what she was seeing, much to Artie and HG’s surprise.  She tugged on HG’s arm even though her words had instantly shifted Helena’s attention her way.

“What is it, darling?”, eyes studying her face as she tried to ascertain what had caused Myka’s unusual reaction.  She suddenly realized Myka was shaking and pointing, and she turned her eyes in that direction.  “Oooh, shit,” HG commented as her eyes widened comically.  Meanwhile, Artie was going crazy on the other side of the Farnsworth, demanding they explain whatever was causing their sudden need to curse and ignore him.  HG took possession of the Farnsworth.  “We’ll have to call you back, Artie,” she advised as she closed the device.  He could still be heard squawking as it snapped shut.

“I think we need to try and get a picture, darling,” HG whispered, “something we can send to Claudia for analysis.”  Myka nodded and raised her phone, snapping pictures as fast as she could in the hopes that something would be useful.  Claudia was a miracle worker, of course, but even she needed a hint of an idea to make things happen, and neither woman was sure they could do justice to the description of this particular Headless Horseman.

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

Samantha Carter stood at the bar, a frown on her face and her eyes distant.  She didn’t notice when Sam McPherson stepped up beside her and motioned the bartender over.  “Could I get a glass of Riesling and a chocolate milk?”  The bartender didn’t blink, but she picked up the phone and put in a call to the kitchen.

“Here’s your Riesling.  Your milk will be out in a minute.”

“Thanks.  Can you, um… can you get my friend another of whatever she’s having?”

The bartender pulled another glass of a local microbrew and set it in front of Samantha.  It brought her gaze back to the bar, but her frown didn’t leave her face.  “I didn’t order this,” pushing it back towards the bartender. The woman smiled.

“I know.”  She nodded her head to the side.  “Your friend did.”

Carter turned her head, then smiled when McPherson waved and grinned.  She motioned the younger woman over with a jerk of her neck.  Sam grabbed the Riesling and walked over the few steps to reach Samantha’s side.  She raised her beer in salute.  “Thanks.”

Sam shrugged.  “You bet, Co… Gen… hmm, Dr. Carter.  You looked a little out of it.  Are you all right?”

Samantha smiled.  “You know, we share the same name.  You could just call me Sam.”

“You don’t think that would be weird?”

This time, Samantha chuckled.  “Not really, no.  Would you rather I called you Ms. McPherson?”

Sam scrunched up her face in disapproval.  “Oh, heck no!!  I am usually in trouble with someone when I get called that.”

Samantha chortled again.  “So not the full name with you?”

Sam laughed.  “Only with my mom… and Brooke.”  She looked around and lowered her voice, then she leaned in to whisper.  “Honestly, it’s scarier coming from Brooke.”

Samantha nodded.  “I’ll bet.”  She took a swallow of her beer and sighed.  Sam picked up the chocolate milk the bartender had just set down in front of her and chugged it about halfway down.  Samantha raised an eyebrow.  “Thirsty?”

“A little.  Mostly it’s just something to help me relax and go to sleep.”  She pointed at the Riesling.  “That’s for Brooke.  She doesn’t usually, but that story of Gabrielle’s… especially with that rider showing up and all….”  She shook her head.  “It freaked her out.”

“But not you?”  Samantha turned enough to face Sam straight on.  “C’mon, Sam.  Are you saying you weren’t the least bit scared, or freaked out, or…?”

“I was intrigued.  I still am, actually.”

“Really?” Samantha asked, turning more fully to face her.  “How so?”

McPherson shrugged.  “I’m trying to figure out why - why they would set up something so elaborate… just for a fun bit of storytelling.”

“You don’t think it was real?”

“Not really.  I mean… how could it be, right?  Things like that don’t really exist in this world.”

“Don’t they?” Samantha asked as she took another swallow of beer.

Sam tilted her head thoughtfully, studying Samantha’s expression intently and not finding a trace of humor or teasing in her eyes nor on her lips.  “Are you saying they do?”

“I’m saying I’ve seen things in my military career that make damn near anything possible… however unlikely.”  She scrubbed a hand through her newly shorn short hair and scratched the back of her neck.  “Besides,” she added as she turned back towards the bar, “that story.  It’s familiar.  Not exactly the same, I don’t think, but I’m almost positive I’ve heard something similar somewhere,” not revealing that she had been off-world at the time.

“So, Gabrielle didn’t make it up?”

She shrugged.  “I have no idea.  I could be mistaken in my memories.”  She smiled sardonically.  “It’s not like I’m getting any younger.”

“None of us are,” Brooke McQueen said from behind Sam McPherson as she swept up behind her and retrieved the glass of Riesling from her hand.  She took a sip, breathing out slowly and closing her eyes as she savored the taste on her tongue.  Only once she swallowed did she open green eyes and meet Sam’s brown ones.  “I was beginning to think you’d gone to Germany to crush the grapes yourself.”  She looked back and forth between the two Sams.  “Everything okay?”

“Yeah… yeah, Sweetheart.  We were just talking about the story Gabrielle told.”

Brooke shivered.  “I appreciate the woman’s ability, but that really creeped me out… especially when that rider chick showed up.  I mean if Xena didn’t do it, who did?”

“You know what bothers me the most about it?” Carter asked as she brought her beer to her lips again.  “Gabrielle and Xena seemed as unnerved as everyone else when she showed up - like they weren’t expecting her… like she was real.”

Brooke gulped the remainder of her wine and signaled the bartender for another.  “Yep… pretty sure I’m not gonna sleep tonight.”  She gave Samantha a dirty look.  “Thanks for that.”

Carter had the decency to look chagrined.  “Sorry,” she muttered.  “You know my partner is a doctor.  Would you like me to ask her if she could give you something to help you sleep?”

Brooke’s eyes widened, but she shook her head sharply.  “No!” she bit off harshly, causing Samantha to blink in surprise, though she didn’t move or look away.  Sam clasped her hand, and she forced herself to take a deep breath. “Sorry.  I don’t mean to sound ungrateful.  I just….”  She turned her attention to Sam, who was rubbing a calming thumb over her knuckles.  She brought the hand she held to her lips and brushed a kiss over the rings she had placed there.  Brooke closed her eyes and drew another breath.  “I have to be careful with any drugs I take.  After the accident….”

Samantha held up a hand.  “You don’t need to say any more unless you want to share.  I get it.”  She smiled deprecatingly.  “I’m lucky that the one I love most in the whole world is the one in the whole world best able to take care of me… no matter what kind of trouble I get into.”

“And she gets into a lot, don’t you, Sammie?”  Carter stiffened, then relaxed into the embrace as strong arms wrapped around her middle and a head peeked from around her shoulder.  She turned and met Dr. Janet Fraiser’s sparkling brown eyes, which turned to concern when she noted the seriousness of the faces surrounding her.  “Is everything all right?”

“Yeah,” pulling Janet around to stand beside her and linking their fingers together.  “We were just talking about Gabrielle’s storytelling tonight.”

Janet swiped Samantha’s beer and took a deep draught, licking her lips and smiling in satisfaction when she handed the half-empty glass back to Sam.  “That’s good stuff,” signaling the bartender for another.  “What did you all decide?” she asked when her attention came back to them.  “Was it all an elaborate set up to scare people a little since the haunted houses last night were more fun than scary?  Or was it the real deal, and something evil is lurking nearby?” asked without a hint of derision or condescension in either her countenance or her tone.

“I tend to think she was real,” Samantha said after a long moment of silence.  “The story reminds me of something I’ve heard before - something Daniel mentioned to me a long time ago.”

Janet’s eyes were filled with questions, but she simply nodded and turned her attention to Brooke and Sam.  “What about the two of you?”

Sam shrugged.  “I tend to be a little cynical; I mean, I tell stories for a living, and I’ve been practicing the principles Gabrielle taught me years ago.  It, uhh… it’s served me very well.”  She looked down at the hand holding Brooke’s and smiled bashfully.  “I’ve been contracted for a series of children’s and young adult books because of what she taught me,” smiling brightly at the congratulations that followed her pronouncement.  “Thanks,” she said, grinning at them.  “But I guess what I’m saying is that I get how to craft a story to make it real for people.  The addition of props - or in this case, a horse and rider - is just a great example of showmanship, and Gabrielle is a master.”  She held up her free hand before anyone could interrupt.  “That being said - your Sam brought up one fact that is pretty indisputable.  Neither Xena nor Gabrielle looked too pleased to see that rider; it was obvious they hadn’t expected her.”

“Which brings us back to the original question - was she real or an elaborate hoax?”

Brooke squeezed Sam’s hand hard enough that she winced, but she didn’t loosen her grip.  She knew whatever that thing had been, it had freaked Brooke right the hell out.  And if holding her hand tight enough to leave fingerprints was what it took to help get her through this, then Sam supposed she’d have fingerprints on both sides of her hand.  Covering their clasped hands with her free one, Brooke began to speak.

“I want to state up front that I really don’t believe in this stuff - you know, ghosts and goblins and haunted… well, anything.  I never have.  I think it’s all a crock - just so much bs to scare kids at Halloween and give boys a chance to make college girls scream and jump into their arms.”  She rolled her eyes and the rest chuckled.  “Having said that, I think whatever it was we saw tonight was real.  I don’t know if she was supposed to be the fallen angel Gabrielle was describing or if she was something altogether different and just imitating the story character in an effort to scare the ready-made audience.  All I know was she gave me the same creeped out feeling I felt when we went to the Colosseum.  She was surrounded by death and misery.”

Janet nodded.  “I got the same vibe, actually.  I think whatever else she was, she was something otherworldly, and someone well acquainted with death and destruction.”

“I can’t say I find that very comforting.”

“Neither do I.  But if we feel that way, I imagine Xena and Gabrielle do too.  And odds are, they’re already working on doing something about it.”

Sam chugged the last of her chocolate milk, then set the glass on the bar.  She took Brooke’s empty wine glass and did the same, then reached into her pocket for her money.  She dropped a couple of bills on the bar and nodded to Samantha.  “My treat tonight, Dr. … Sam.  Thank you for the talk.  And for your story tonight, Dr. Fraiser.”

“Thank you for the beer,” Samantha said as she drained the second glass.  “They do know how to make it around here.”  She looked at Brooke.  “I apologize for….”

Brooke shook her head.  “It’s nothing I hadn’t already thought about, and in some ways, it’s kind of comforting to know I’m not the only one that feels this way.  I just hope Xena and Gabrielle can figure out who she really was and what she was doing out there with us.”  She shook her head.  “Glad that’s not my responsibility.”  She felt Sam tug on her hand and smiled back at Janet and Samantha.  “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” they echoed as they watched the pair slip away.  Janet picked up her beer and drained it in one go.  “C’mon, Dr. Carter,” she said as she set the empty bottle back on the bar.  “We can try to contact Daniel tomorrow.  For now, it’s time for bed.”

“You think you can sleep after all that?” Sam asked as she stood up from the stool, letting Janet pull on their joined hands and move them toward the elevators.

Janet smiled, her face lighting up and her eyes twinkling.  “Easy, peasy - lemon squeezy, Sweetheart.  I’m pretty sure there are any number of ways we can get that off our minds tonight.  And maybe by tomorrow, Xena and Gabrielle will have some answers to put all our minds at rest.”

“We can hope.”

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

Kara sat completely still, jaw dropped and eyes blinking so slowly it looked like she was staring.  Finally, she turned her head from Gabrielle to Xena and back again, trying to make her mind understand what her ears had heard.  The rest remained still and silent to let her process.  Eventually, she took a deep breath and blink rapidly a few times as she nodded her head.

“Okay… wow,” she commented, bringing smiles to the faces of those around her.  “Can I just say how amazing you look?” glancing at Gabrielle.  Then she blushed.  “I mean… not that you’re not a beautiful woman, because you are, but I mean… I never would have guessed you were….  I mean… millennia?  That’s such a long… and wow!  I mean… Bacchae, really?  Who would have…? I thought vampires and stuff were just things Alex made up to scare me when I first got here.  Even when I read Dracula and Frankenstein and….  Who could have imagined they were real?”  She almost bit her tongue when Xena put a hand on her shoulder from behind, but the look of compassion and understanding Gabrielle was giving her made her nod and suck in a shaky breath.  “Sorry.  I’m just….” looking down at her clasped hands.

Gabrielle patted her arm.  “It’s all right, Kara.  It’s a lot to take in.”

She nodded frantically.  “Yeah, it kind of is.  Bacchae and ancient gods and Amazon Queens.”  She smiled at that and lifted her eyes to meet Gabrielle’s.  “Did you really write all those stories… all the scrolls that are in the library?”

“Well, not all.  Most of them, though.”

Kara grinned.  “That is so cool.  I’ve enjoyed reading those so much.”  She took one of Gabrielle’s hands in hers.  “Thank you.  Thank you for sharing so much of yourself.  You have no idea how much I needed that… needed to know….”  She shook her head to keep her eyes from watering.  “Just… thank you.”

Gabrielle smiled.  “You’re welcome.  I’m glad to know they were of some help to you.”

“More than you know.”

“What are we going to do about this Saligia person?  And what about that rider?” Helena asked after the silence threatened to become awkward.  “I know you were both as unnerved as the rest of us.”

“Well, the first thing we need to do is make a phone call to the office in a few hours.  We’re going to put the girls to work doing some research, though it is highly likely it’s already been started; they may have some preliminary information for us.”  Xena shrugged.  “Hard to say.  Once we have a clearer idea of what is going on, we should be able to start making some plans.  We just wanted you all to know what is going on.  And also, we need you,” looking specifically at Barbara and Lucy, “to open the conventions tomorrow.  We don’t know how long this is going to take.”

“You got it, Boss.”
“We’ll take care of it.”

“Thank you both.  We appreciate it.”

Lucy smiled.  “It’s why you pay us the big bucks, right?” causing chuckles to run around the room.

“Right,” Xena confirmed with a roll of her eyes.

“What about the rest of us?”

Gabrielle sighed.  “Keep your eyes and ears open.  I’m not sure where the horse and rider came from last night - not sure if it’s tied into what we’re dealing with, or if it’s something associated with the city itself.  We should probably find out, if only to give our attendees some peace of mind.  I know more than a few were disturbed by it at the very least - no reason to leave them creeped out if we don’t have to.”

“We might be able to spin something - depends on how real they thought it was.”  Gabrielle met Diana’s eyes at Kara’s words, and she accepted her assignment with the barest nod of her head.

“Maybe.  However, if it is Saligia, we’ll know soon enough, either through our own efforts or that of the gods.  They’ll keep us in the loop, if only in the hopes that we can actually destroy him this time.”

“Do you doubt your ability to do so?” Diana asked quietly.  All heads turned her way.

“I think it could get down and dirty ugly before all is said and done.”


Chapter XII

Xena and Gabrielle made sure to tighten the robes they were wearing before putting the call through on the computer.  It hardly had time to ring before it connected, and three bright, smiling faces were looking back at them.

“Good morning, Angels,” Xena joked with a smirk.

“Good morning, Xena,” they replied in unison, lifting their coffee cups in salute.  Then Casey turned to Gabrielle.  “Good morning, Gabrielle,” she smiled.  “What can we do for you two this morning?”

Xena frowned and turned her attention to Samantha Groves.  “Can I assume, then, that the Machine hasn’t been in touch with you, Root?”

Root tilted her head and frowned.  “About?  She’s been fairly quiet this weekend; I figured it was because a good part of the team was gone.  Did She miss something?”

Xena pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head.  “No.  No, I was hoping She’d found something out of the ordinary enough that She would have started an algorithm herself.  I didn’t consider that this is so far out of her purview that it wouldn’t occur to her to search for any sort of anomaly.”

The three looked at one another, then turned back to the screen in tandem.  But it was Brittany Pierce who spoke up.  “I think it’s fair to say you have our attention.  What can we do?”

Gabrielle sat up and drew a deep breath, then proceeded to fill them in on everything they knew about Saligia… from the very beginning.

When she was done, Xena handed her a bottle of water that was received gratefully.  Gabrielle leaned into Xena’s embrace, and they sat back while Brittany and Root started talking geek speak trying to work out an algorithm they could write for the Machine that would include the myriad of parameters Gabrielle had given them.  Even with their combined brilliance, and the Machine’s efficiency, it was obvious to everyone that this was going to take some time… especially since there were so many otherworldly components that the Machine had absolutely no reference for.

“How are things at the conference?” Casey asked when it was clear the other two were off in their own little nerd world.  She smiled, but her upset was apparent to both Xena and Gabrielle.  Still, it was a great improvement over how distraught she had been when she approached them at the end of the convention the year before.

“You’re missed,” Xena stated bluntly.  

“We’ve had several people inquire after you,” Gabrielle elaborated.  “Fortunately, we learned how to stonewall when the stones were boulders, so no one is going to hear anything from us.  You are missed, however, and not just by your friends.”

“Thank you for keeping my secret,” she said softly.  “I know I need to tell them… and I will.  I just… I’m not ready yet.”  She blinked her eyes to keep her tears at bay and sniffed, reaching for a tissue in case anything started running.  “Besides, things are good with Ian, and I know the minute they find out about him, they’re gonna want to grill him.  And I’d kind of like to ease him into that if I can.  I love Alex and Olivia, but they can be a little intense.”

Gabrielle snorted.  “He survived us.  He’ll be fine.”

Casey just cackled and gave Gabrielle a sardonic look.  “You introduced us.”

“After we had completely vetted him.”

This time Casey laughed.  “After you practically raised him, you mean.”  She waved a hand in the direction of the screen.  “It doesn’t matter.  He’s a wonderful man, and I care for him very much.  And I know you had a major hand in all of that, so thank you.”

“He was a good kid - just needed a little guidance.”  Gabrielle turned to Xena and lifted a brow.  Xena shrugged and gave the slightest nod.  Gabrielle’s attention returned to the screen to find Casey watching them intently.  

“One day, I’m going to figure out how you do that,” she stated.

Gabrielle frowned.  “Do what?”

“Have entire conversations with one another without saying a word.”

Gabrielle chuckled.  “When you’ve been together as long as we have, it’s easy.  We’ve been practicing forever.  However, when you are ready to tell your friends and introduce them to Ian, let us know.  We’ll host a dinner party.”

“Just give me a little time to arrange it,” Kurt Hummel said as he walked into the office carrying four coffees and a box of pastries from around the corner.  Brittany and Root squealed in delight, eagerly jumping up to relieve him of the sweets and half the coffees.  He rolled his eyes but smiled and moved over to the computer to put Casey’s coffee on the desk.  “Hi, honey.  Good morning, Gabrielle.  Good morning, Xena.”

“Good morning, Kurt,” they offered in unison.  “How’s the little monster this morning?” Xena continued, garnering her an elbow to the midsection from Gabrielle.  She frowned and turned to Gabrielle with a pout.  “What?  It was a legitimate question.”

Kurt nodded.  “It is, actually.  The terrible twos have already started.  But he’s with Blaine this weekend, so I’ve had a chance to rest.”  He shook his head to clear it of any remorse.  He and Blaine weren’t the first relationship to crash and burn, and they wouldn’t be the last.  “So, what’s this about a dinner party?  Do I need to get out my planner?”

“Not yet,” Casey replied.  “But soon.  I think Ian is almost ready to meet my old New York crowd.”

Kurt’s blue eyes widened, knowing how hard it had been for Casey when she had first returned from Washington DC… especially cutting off contact to people that had been her friends for years so she could regain her sense of self.  He nodded.  “I’ll be right here whenever you’re ready.”

“So will we.  And we’ll hold you to that, Case,” Xena promised.  She lifted her eyes when she saw Root and Brittany approaching with coffees in one hand and pastries in the other.  “What’s the word, ladies?”

“Well,” Root answered, since she was the one without food in her mouth.  “We’re pretty sure we can do this….”

“… but it’s gonna take some time,” Brittany finished as she swallowed.  “There’s just a lot of details we’re going to have to implement, and we can’t afford to overlook anything, you know, like the name of his pet rock or something.  Even the slightest detail could change the parameters of her search….”

“… and that would mean wasted time that we simply can’t afford.  Odds are, this Saligia dude will try to make a move on Halloween - it makes the most sense if only a fraction of the tales about the holiday are true.  And he’s gonna need every advantage he can get.”

“Agreed,” Xena stated brusquely.  “We’ve started working on this end, but She is our best bet for finding him at the moment.”

“What about the Guardians?”

Xena scrubbed a hand over her face while Gabrielle pinched the bridge of her nose.  “We expect that to be more difficult.  The Guardianships should have passed through family lines from one Caretaker to the next, but we have no way of knowing if they actually did.  And even if they have, we have no way of knowing if the people currently responsible for the talismans even aware of what they are… what they hold.”  Gabrielle shook her head.  “I’ve got a couple people on this side looking into things as well, but it’s going to take time - time we really don’t have to spare.”

“Oh!” Xena interjected.  “We need some research done on a Night Rider.”

Casey frowned, the only one remotely old enough to click onto the obvious.  “Like the tv show?”

“What?  No!” Xena growled, rubbing at her temples.  “Sorry… long night.  And my head is killing me.”  She glanced at Gabrielle, meeting concerned green eyes with contrite blue.  She sighed.  “Sorry, Casey.  I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that.  I’m gonna go take something,” gesturing towards the bathroom before disappearing out of sight.

Casey waited until she heard the door close in the background, then returned her attention to Gabrielle.  “Is everything okay, Gabrielle?  Is Xena all right?”

Gabrielle blew out a frustrated breath.  “Yeah… we’re okay.  This is just… there’s a lot of history we don’t have time for right now, and there’s some really bad memories associated with it.”  She shook her head and waved her hand.  “That’s not important at the moment.  What is important is that we need to find out about the Headless Horseman.”

Kurt frowned.  “You mean like Ichabod Crane?”

Gabrielle’s chuckle was rueful and short-lived.  “No.  I’m talking about the Night Rider,” sighing again at the four faces staring back at her blankly.  “Let me give you the Cliffs’ Notes version.”  When she was finished, the four people on the other side of her monitor sat completely still… not even breathing.  After another moment, she spoke again.  “Guys?  Is everyone all right over there?”

Casey was the first to stir, blinking rapidly and swallowing hard to get some moisture back in her mouth.  She took a long draught of coffee, glad it had cooled sufficiently.  “Yeah… that wasn’t creepy or anything.  Seriously, Gabrielle - where did this come from?”

“The story is an old, old legend that I picked up years ago to add to my repertoire.  It was more interesting than the popular ‘Sleepy Hollow’ version, and it gave Xena the chance to be a badass warrior again.  She’d come riding in in costume….  It was truly something to see.”

“Did she really kill people?  You know… to protect innocents?” Brittany asked.  “I can kinda see that.”

Kurt rolled his eyes but offered a fond smile.  “Britt, I’m pretty sure she just rode the horse and swung some kind of whip to give people a thrill.  It’s good theatre.”

“And I would have loved for this to have been a little more of the same,” Gabrielle stated while carefully avoiding answering the question.  “But the fact is, Xena was still standing beside me on the stage, and that creature gave off a distinctly scary vibe.  Everyone felt it… everyone.”

Kurt cleared his throat.  “I’ll start doing some research… see what I can find.  And it’s not pressing, Gabrielle, but when all of this is over, and you have some free time, I’d appreciate it if you could look over the new manuscript.  I think it’s about ready to go into workshop.”

Gabrielle smiled - a genuine grin that lit up her face and crinkled her nose.  “I’ll look forward to it… especially after the previews I got of the drafts.  I think it has the makings of a smash if we can cast it right.”

Kurt nodded his thanks.  “We’ll talk about it when this is taken care of.  It will wait; this other, not so much.”

“All right.  Does everyone know their responsibilities?” seeing four heads acknowledge her words with a nod.  “Excellent.  Do not kill yourselves over this, but please work as swiftly and carefully as you’re capable of.  Xena and I are cutting our time here short, so as soon as we wrap up the talent show tonight, we’ll be on the plane home.”

“I’ll let MacGregor know to be at JFK to pick you up if you’ll text me when you leave.”

“Thank you, Casey.  Call… well, call whoever and have them deliver something for lunch and dinner.  You have the company card, so….  You all might want to call your SOs or whoever needs to know that it’s going to be a late night - probably for the next few days.”

“Always feast or famine,” Brittany stated.  “Never a happy medium... kinda like unicorn farts.”

Root smirked; she grown accustomed to Brittany’s randomness.  It was one reason she and Santana Lopez got along so well.  “Sweetie, we wouldn’t know what to do if it was.”  

That brought a round of laughter and everyone turned back to Gabrielle.  “Thank you, ladies… and Kurt.  We appreciate it, and we’ll see you all soon.”

“Bye, Gabrielle,” they chorused, turning to their work even before the connection was completely severed.  Gabrielle surveyed the empty penthouse with a frown.  Xena hadn’t returned to the conversation; in fact, she hadn’t left the bathroom yet - the door was still soundly shut. Gabrielle stood and crossed the room on silent feet.  She took a deep breath and released it when she reached the closed door, lifting her hand and rapping sharply against the wood.  When she didn’t receive an answer, she scowled and reached for the doorknob, gratified to find it unlocked.  She pushed against the door slowly, sticking her head in tentatively as soon as the space was wide enough to allow it.

Xena was standing at the sink in front of the mirror, but her eyes were downcast until Gabrielle spoke.  “Xena?”  Blue eyes that showed the burden of every single memory and the years that had passed for them looked back at her disconsolately.  Gabrielle pressed the door open and crossed the room without another word, wrapping herself around Xena and feeling the warrior’s body relax into her touch.  “You all right?”  Xena gave her a sardonic look in the mirror and Gabrielle huffed out an exasperated smile.  “Okay… fair enough.  What can I do to help?”

“You mean besides wake me up from this nightmare?”  Xena shook her head.  “I’m not sure we can do anything other than find the Guardians and get the talismans together so we can find a way to destroy this nitwit.”  She sighed.  “I thought we were done with this.”

Gabrielle leaned her head against Xena’s back and let her hand trace light circles over the smooth skin of her belly.  “So did I; I hoped anyway.”  She raised her head and kissed the juncture of Xena’s spine where her neck met her backbone and smiled when Xena shivered in delight.  “C’mon,” Gabrielle invited, pulling Xena away from the mirror and leading her back into the bedroom part of the suite.  “I think I know how we can make that headache better for a little while.”

Xena brought them to a halt next to the big bed, wrapping her arms around Gabrielle from behind, and genuinely enjoying the way Gabrielle’s smaller body fit precisely into hers.  She nipped at the neck extended to her in invitation, and chuckled low in her throat at the moan it produced.  “Really, now?” she growled.  “And what might your solution be?”

Without warning, Gabrielle spun them, pushing Xena firmly and climbing on top as soon as her back hit the mattress.  “I’m going to remind you just how much I love you… in vivid, excruciating detail.”  

Xena pulled Gabrielle into her and moaned in delight at the spark that flowed between them… even after all this time.  Their lips met for a timeless moment, and only when they were breathless did they separate and gaze into one another’s eyes.  “I love you.  And I’m not gonna let what happened to us before happen again. I’ll destroy the world first.”

Gabrielle leaned down and brushed their lips together again lightly, pinning Xena to the bed with a simple touch of her fingers when she made to follow and deepen the kiss.  “You’ll do no such thing, Warrior Princess.  You’re not gonna destroy anything.  We know about Saligia this time - we know what to expect. We’ll talk to one another and make love with one another and fight for one another every day until we defeat this moron. And then we’ll do the same into eternity... just because we can.”

Xena grinned and flipped them so she loomed over Gabrielle.  She let her hands trail down the toned body beneath her, chuckling at the goosebumps and shivers that followed her touch. “That sounds wonderful,” she said. “Me first.”

“What about your headache?” tilting her neck when Xena nipped at her jugular.

“What headache?” she mumbled, parting the robe Gabrielle still wore and moving down her body. Gabrielle arched her back and pawed at Xena, pushing and pulling at the same time.

“Off!” she commanded, not surprised when Xena stripped both of them naked in seconds. Then she opened her arms, and they fell together into a place where only they existed. And for a while, they knew peace.

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

No one said a word when they walked in together just as lunch was served. Lucy and Barbara were watching the proceedings, glad beyond measure that they had combined the conferences’ lunches after the first year. It made things much easier to manage, and it had encouraged camaraderie across both conventions. At this point, networking went in all directions, to the good of them all.  Dinah was the first to sense them, and she smiled a welcome as she touched Barbara’s arm and nodded in their direction.  Barbara lifted a hand in acknowledgment, and they made their way over, glad the monitoring room was tucked out of sight of the main con area. They weren’t ready to answer questions about the Headless Horseman that had made an appearance the previous evening.

“How are things going?”

Barbara and Lucy exchanged glances. Finally, Barbara spoke. “Conference wise, things are smooth as glass.  People are still a little... concerned about last night. I hope you’ve got something convincing to tell them.”

Gabrielle smirked. “That’s not necessarily the truth?”

“Do you know the truth?” Dinah asked.

“Know?” shaking her head. “No.  Suspect? Yes. And we don’t like our suspicions, so we’re gonna keep them to ourselves for now.  Meanwhile,” she glanced at Diana who gave her the briefest nod. “We’ve got a story we can tell them that will actually pass muster if anyone decides to go digging.”

“Do you think someone would?”

“Do you think someone wouldn’t?” Helena snickered before either Xena or Gabrielle could comment.  “C’mon, D - it’s conferences with nosy reporters and detectives.  The real question is who’d ask first.  You know they’re all gonna wanna know.”

Dinah rolled her eyes and huffed out an impatient breath.  “I suppose,” she conceded.  “It would just be nice if people could take things on faith once in a while.”

“The world would be a much different place, Kid,” Xena said with a sad smile.  “We’re gonna go get a bite to eat, and then we’ll see if we can give people enough answers so they don’t ask questions.”

“Good luck with that.”


Chapter XIII

People accepted their explanation readily enough - that the Horseman had been sighted and reported a few times thus far in the season, and that she had been seen in several different parishes, though there had been some variety in her descriptions.  All of them, however, had mentioned the glowing red eyes of the horse and the bone whip of the rider.  The relief that rippled through the room at the announcement was palpable, and Xena and Gabrielle smiled as the convention goers relaxed.  They did, of course, notice the few glances that were exchanged between certain members of the audience - most of them natives - and made it a point to keep an eye out for any trouble that might be lurking.  And in the meantime, they had a convention or two to finish.

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

Ruby strode into the room like she owned it, moving swiftly as she crossed to where Regina and Emma were currently seated talking quietly.  “My Queen,” she said breathlessly with a sharp bow.  “Snow said you summoned me - that it was urgent.  How can I be of help?”

Snow walked to Ruby’s side and offered her a glass.  “I didn’t mean for you to kill yourself getting here, Ruby.”

Ruby accepted the glass and drained it in one go, then she handed the empty back to Snow, who immediately moved to refill it.  Ruby smiled when she received the full glass, taking a long sip before sighing in relief.  “I know, and I didn’t.  But you mentioned a name I have not heard… gods, it’s been a long time.”  She shook her head.  “I’ve never seen Granny go quite that pale.  I expect she’ll be by eventually with all the research and histories she’s got.”

“So, you know Mr. Thornwood?”

Ruby shook her head.  “Know of him.  He’s one of the oldest of my kind, but he’s not been heard from in hundreds of years.”

“Was he part of the enchanted forest then?  Is that what allowed him to crash through the spells protecting this place as though they weren’t even there?”

“Possibly?  I’m honestly not sure.  I know of him from legends and stories.  He is Fae.”

“Like you?”

“Yes… only much older, so likely stronger and wiser.  The stories paint him as light Fae, so in the battle of good versus evil, he falls to the good side.  It’s been said that he helped preserve much of fae culture by learning to blend in and be like the humans he was surrounded by.  Man won’t hunt that which he believes is just a story or tall tale to scare children, and people tend not to look too deeply if they don’t have to.”

“Even though most stories have a kernel of truth in them somewhere?”

“Even though.  No one looks, so no one sees.”

“Hmm,” Regina commented, stroking her chin.  She turned to Emma.  “What do you think, Miss Swan?”

“I wonder if it ties in to all the weird magical issues that seem to be cropping up throughout the other kingdoms.”

“I would say that is highly likely, Miss….” Dyson said as he re-entered the room, fully clothed this time.

“Mrs. Jones, to you,” Hook growled, a scowl covering his features.

“Of course,” Dyson responded with a bowed head.  “Mrs. Jones.  You have an impressive body slam,” offered with a slight wince.  “Have a feeling I’m gonna remember that for days to come.”

“Yeah, well… next time you might remember to knock first.”

“Indeed, I might,” turning to Regina, who was regarding him with a speculative eye.  “Your Majesty,” he said with a deep, courtly bow.  “My apologies for my disruptive entrance before.  Your men seemed determined to keep me outside the gates, and it was impressed upon me when I was sent to you that time was of the essence in accomplishing my errand.

“And what is the nature of that errand, Mr. Thornwood?”

“I was sent by the Blood King to see if a magical fissure here in Storybrooke created a portal to the Otherworld.”

“The Blood King is real?” Ruby asked, speaking for the first time since Dyson’s return to the dining room.

“He is indeed, dear Lady.  How do you know of him?”

“He, like you, are legends among my people.”

“You wanna fill the rest of us in, Rubes?” Emma demanded impatiently before Regina could ask.

“The Blood King is the monarch who ended the war between dark and light Fae.  It’s his truce that have kept the Fae at peace for centuries, however uneasy that peace may be.”

“And why does your Blood King believe there to be a fissure to the Otherworld here in Storybrooke, Mr. Thornwood?”

“Have you ever heard of the GodKiller, Saligia?”

Emma opened her mouth to castigate him for answering a question with another question, but Regina held up a hand to stop her before she could begin.  She tilted her head, intrigued by the query, knowing instinctively there was more behind it than insolence or avoidance.

“I’m not familiar,” she finally stated.  

Dyson sighed.  “Saligia is ancient - from before my time or even Trick’s… the Blood King.”

“Wow,” Ruby mumbled, even as Emma asked the obvious.

“And how old would that be?”

“Trick just celebrated his second millennia.”

Emma coughed her surprise, trying not to choke on spit and air.  “All right, so…?”

“At some time before Trick was born - we believe when Greece was still in its heyday - Saligia decided he was going to rid the world of its Pantheons and rule himself.  He started killing demigods and minors in each of the Pantheons slowly, so that no one would notice their loss of powers and disappearance.  But they did notice and engaged a Warrior and Bard to take care of the situation.”

Regina frowned.  “That seems like a very odd combination.  And it still doesn’t answer my question.”

“I know, and I’m sorry.  I just thought you might want to know a little more about what we’re facing.”

“Who’s we?” Hook muttered.

Dyson cut him a look.  “If this is where the fissure is, I fully expect you’ll all be involved with this before we’re done.”  He turned back to Regina.  “The stories don’t tell us how, but the Warrior and Bard were able to gather the talismans Saligia created to kill the Pantheons and force him into an eternal sleep… or what was thought to be one.  But apparently your magic,” motioning between Emma and Regina - “your magic together, was enough to disturb him.  And it created fissure in the fabric between realms… enough to wake him, we think.”

“You think?  You don’t know?”

Dyson covered his eyes with his hand.  “We know that your sacrifice for her caused fissures throughout the magical realms.  Trick could see that much.  He hasn’t actually seen Saligia, but the indications are there to show that he is awake and active again.  I need to find that portal.”

“Do you think he would remain nearby?”

“We’re not certain he has completely escaped yet.  It is possible he is working from the Otherworld to build his strength before he crosses into this one.  If that is the case, I need to destroy him before he makes his move.”

“Can you?” Emma asked without accusation this time.  She had heard enough to know he was speaking the truth as he knew it.  Dyson tilted his head at her and frowned; she shook her head.  “Can you destroy him?  From what you just told Killian, you need our help with the portal if we can find it.  And even originally, there was a pair of hunters… though why a Warrior and a Bard…?  Is this something that can be done by a single individual?”  She shook her head and rose, walking across the room to look out the window.  Several pairs of eyes followed her movement, but only Snow followed her.  Dyson turned back to those remaining.

“The Warrior and Bard - they’re immortal,” causing eyebrows to go up around the room.  “Trick has someone looking for them, in case this gets insane, but it would be a lot easier if I can stop Saligia before he crosses from the Otherworld.”

“Miss Swan made a good point.  Can this be done by an individual?  And was there… is there something special about the pair that defeated him before?”

Dyson shrugged.  “I know that they are mates,” causing stunned countenances around the room.  He rolled his eyes.  “Trick practically pounded it into our brains - apparently, for them, that is significant.”

Ruby frowned.  “You don’t believe in mates?” horrified, as it was a guiding principle of her people.

He sighed.  “I do, but… it’s complicated.”

“We’re getting off track,” Regina stated firmly.  “Do we know what we are looking for?  Or how to find it?”

Dyson shook his head.  “I’m afraid not.  I had thought that perhaps I, and Miss…?” giving Ruby a pointed look.

“Lucas, though most folks just call me Ruby.”

“… Ruby, if she’s willing, might be able to conduct some sort of hunt and search, but if I’m understanding correctly, that would take an awfully long time if we have to cover the whole of the kingdom ourselves.  How many realms are there, Your Majesty?”

“Enough that we would need an entire pack of were-people to even make a dent in time to be of any use.”

“What about us?” Emma said as she turned from the window.  “Me and Regina.  Is there something magical we could do to help speed this process along?”

Regina met Emma’s eyes and they stared at one another while Dyson looked pensive.  Then Hook spoke up.

“Are we certain that wouldn’t make things worse, Love?  After all, it was your magic together that caused the breaks in the first place.”

“He makes a good point,” Dyson agreed, garnering a grudgingly appreciative look from Killian.  

“Perhaps,” Regina conceded.  She turned to Emma.  “We need to find a way to scan for rifts without making them worse.”  Her gaze went inward and the rest waited silent for her to make a decision.  Finally, she looked back at them.  “Miss Lucas, if you will put out an all-call to the were-people throughout the realm… all the kingdoms.  Ask for their help.  After all, if this thing gets loose, it will affect us all, including them.”  Ruby nodded and tapped Dyson on the shoulder.  They bowed and left, and Regina turned to David.  “Alert the troops.  They need to start a grid by grid search until we can narrow down the parameters or they find something.”  David bowed and touched Snow’s arm, then walked out the door.

“And what of us, Your Majesty?” Hook asked.

“Take the ships out of the harbor and do as the troops are - a grid by grid search.”

“You think he is hiding in the sea?”

“I think we would be best served to leave no stone unturned, Killian.  Remember, there are several uninhabited islands throughout the kingdom.”

He bowed.  “As you wish, Your Majesty,” glancing at Emma, who offered him a small smile before he strode from the room.

Regina turned to Snow.  “Can you do some research on this Saligia individual?  I think we need to know as much about him and the circumstances that put him into an eternal slumber before we can find a way to defeat him in a more permanent way this time.”

“Of course, Regina.  I’ll see if Granny and some of the others can help,” Snow assured as she slid from the room on rapid feet.

“That just leaves you and me, Regina.”

Regina rose from her chair.  “Come along, Miss Swan.  We have some research to do as well.  Let’s go to the vault.”  They touched hands, and in a swirl of smoke, disappeared.

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

“We just wanted to thank you both for hosting such a great convention,” Gabrielle said to Nikki and Nora as the auditorium slowly emptied after the talent show.  “Thank you for inviting us.”

“We were so glad y’all decided to come, Sugar.  We’re pretty proud of our town,” Nikki drawled with a bright smile.  “I’m just sorry y’all can’t stick around for a few more days.”

“We are too,” Gabrielle assured them.  “But something has come up at home that we need to take care of immediately.  We’re hoping to come back soon though.”

“Your reason for going home wouldn’t have anything to do with that horse and rider that showed up last night, would it?”

“Surprisingly, no, though I realize the timing is suspiciously coincidental.  However, this is something else entirely.  We’ve already got our people working on it, but it would go faster if we were there.  So….”

“Well, you’re welcome here anytime, of course.  Let us know when you’re in town - we’ll give you the nickel tour... beyond the haunted.”

“We’d love that,” Gabrielle promised as she got hugs from both of them before looking around for Xena.  She found her talking to Olivia Benson and Sam Carter.  She handed each of them a business card before shaking hands with them and turning to find Gabrielle watching her.  She smiled and excused herself, then headed towards Gabrielle….

… only to be halted by Cat Grant stepping into her path.  She extended her right hand, and Xena accepted it without thought.  “Miss Grant?”

“I just wanted to thank you.  I had my doubts about this entire proceeding, but you not only exceeded my hopes, but also my expectations.  And even better, it gave me time with my son and, from the looks of it, him a new friend,” motioning to where Carter stood talking shyly to an equally shy Emma Spaulding.  “You may not believe this, but he’s always had difficulty making friends, so to have him make one so quickly….”  She shook her head to clear the tears from her eyes.  “You can’t know what it means - what it does to my mothers’ heart - for you to have made both of us feel so welcome.”

Xena lifted the hand she held and covered it with her other hand.  “Yes,” she replied softly.  “I can.”  She looked at Gabrielle, who had stopped walking and was watching the tableau taking place before her.  Then she looked Cat in the eye and let her see some of the truth of her years.  Cat stared for a moment, then cleared her throat and blinked back her tears, dropping the politician’s mask she had perfected over the years firmly into place.

“Yes, well… <ahem> maybe you can.  In the meanwhile, I hope you’ll keep Washington, D.C. in mind as a place to hold your conferences next year.”

Xena smiled and released the hand she had been holding.  “Are you volunteering to be our hostess, Miss Grant?”

“Perhaps,” said with her trademark smirk.  “But even if I’m not, I have no doubt that I could help arrange… something.”

“We will certainly keep that in mind,” handing Cat a business card and accepting the card she offered in return.

“You do that.  I’ll look forward to hearing from you,” Cat said as her phone rang.  She excused herself and walked toward Carter.  Xena headed to Gabrielle.

“Everything all right?” Gabrielle asked as Xena took her hand and started leading them to the parking garage.

“Everything’s fine.  Olivia Benson and Sam Carter asked for an opportunity to speak to us.  I directed them to come to the City or give us a call as soon as was convenient for them.  And Cat Grant suggested DC as a venue option for next year.”  She opened Gabrielle’s door and seated her, then dashed around to the driver’s side and climbed in.

Gabrielle’s eyes widened and her brows went up into her hairline.  “Really?  Was she volunteering as a coordinator or…?” giving Xena a moment to pull out of the garage and into traffic.

Xena shrugged and glanced her way briefly before returning her eyes to the road and heading to the airport.  “I couldn’t pin her down as a definite, but I’d guess she be involved one way or another if possible.”  She paused a beat.  “I think at some point we should get to know her and Carter.”

Gabrielle tilted her head, studying Xena intently for a moment.  “Not that I’m opposed, but why?”

Xena blew out a slow breath, but kept her focus straight ahead.  “He reminds me of Lyceus,” she confessed.  “I think that….”

“It’s okay, Xe.  We’ll make friends of them.  And maybe include Emma,” she said with a smile.  “We’ll see how it goes.”  Then they fell silent until they boarded the private jet for home.


Chapter XIV

“Is everything all right, Magnus?” Will asked as he stepped into the lab, Henry on his heels.  She’d found them briefly and directed them to the lab, then moved on to find Bigfoot.  She almost wished her ex, John Pruitt, was around, or that Nikola Tesla was available, as she had the beginnings of a working theory about the object that Kate had shown her.  For now, she and Bigfoot would have to do.  Will, Henry and Kate turned when Magnus and Bigfoot crossed the threshold into the room.

“I’m not sure, Will,” Helen offered in answer to his question.  “I don’t think so, and I don’t think this is going to be a good discovery.”  She shook her head and slipped into her lab coat, taking a deep breath to fortify herself before she turned to face them.  They had surrounded the examination table, and Helen stepped up and turned on the bright light that hung above it.  She pulled it down closer to the table and let her eyes meet Kate’s.  “I’d like you to open the box again and set it here under the light so Will and Henry can get a good look.  Wait!  Not yet!” she cautioned when Kate went to remove her hands from her pockets.  “I already know what kind of reaction I had the first time.  I would like to know the reactions of the rest before I expose myself to it again.”

“Where will you be?”

“I’m going to go behind the shield,” indicating the corner area that was lead-lined to protect them when they took x-rays.  “That will answer a couple of questions by itself.  I’ll call out if I feel any effects; please close the lid if I do.”

Kate nodded.  “You got it, Boss.”

“What of me?” Bigfoot growled.

“I want you to stay here with everyone unless you feel it start to affect you.  Trust me - you’ll know if it does.  It’s not subtle.  Kate, pay attention.  If he starts to react in any way, close it.”

“All right,” she nodded.  She watched as Magnus crossed the room and took her place behind the lead shielding.  Then she turned back to the men who were waiting for her to reveal the box to them.  She let out a deep breath and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she pulled the box from her pocket.  Three sets of eyes were riveted on it, and Will reached out his hands.

“May I?”

She shook her head.  “I’d rather you didn’t… not right now, anyway.  Not until we’re sure how it will affect you.”

Will nodded.  “That’s fair,” he conceded.  “I’m guessing Magnus’ reaction was less than pleasant.”

“On so many levels, Will,” Helen said from behind the shielding.  “Go ahead, Kate.  Open it up and let them see.”

Kate set the box on the table and pushed the top, allowing it to pop open.  Both Will and Henry leaned forward, exclaiming over the beauty of the piece.  Bigfoot, however, stepped back a pace and began shaking his head… as though trying to rid himself of an annoying insect buzzing around him.  Kate noticed his discomfort and stepped back beside him.

“You all right, Big Guy?”

“No,” he grumbled, swatting at his head as he shook it.  Kate moved back to the table and snapped the box closed before Will could reach in and grab the relic.  He glared at her.

“Was that necessary?”

“Yes,” she said succinctly, motioning to Bigfoot.  “He’s having some kind of reaction, though not as severe as Magnus’ was.  Besides, I’m already asked you not to; I’m not really sure what touching it would do to you… especially without some kind of protective gear on.  I’d rather not risk it.”

“I’m guessing there’s a bigger story behind all this.”

“There is indeed, Will,” Magnus replied as she walked out from behind the shield.  “Kate, do you have a safe place to put the artifact for now?” waiting for the younger woman to nod.  “Good.  Please do so, then join the rest of us in my office for now.”  She put a hand on Bigfoot’s nearer arm.  “How do you feel?”

He shook his head.  “Better now.  That was… not happy.”

“No… I don’t imagine it was.”  Se patted his arm, then removed her hand as she turned to the others.  “Come along, Gentlemen.  We have work to do.”

“And you’ll tell us what this was all about?” Henry asked as he and Will padded around the table to join Helen and Bigfoot at the lab door.

“Kate will, and we’ll see where we’ll go from here.  I have a feeling this is going to be a team effort.”

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

“Trick?”  A beat.  “TRICK!!”

Trick came running from behind the bar, slamming the door open into the back area where Bo and Lauren were currently ensconced as they had been since Trick had given them their assignments.  Lauren was at the desk, surrounded by several thick books… some of which were almost as old as the printing press.  She had her glasses on, though they kept sliding down her nose, and one cleared corner held the tablet upon which she was making notes.  Bo was curled up on the couch with her laptop, one pen clenched between her teeth, another tucked behind her ear, and a third clasped in her hand. In her other hand, she held a yellow legal pad that had notes scribbled across several pages.  She looked up and opened her mouth to yell for Trick again when he rushed in the door.

“Oh,” she said on a sigh.  “There you are.  What took you so long?”

“Good gods and little fishes, Girl!  I’m old, not deaf, and I’ve got a bar full of paying customers that don’t need to know what the hell business I’ve got going on besides serving drinks and decent bar food.  You don’t need to bellow loud enough to wake the dead. Now,” sucking in a deep breath.  “What do you need?”  She glared at him a long moment, holding his gaze even as she watched the impatience grow in his countenance.  “Well??”

She pulled the pen from between her teeth and let it rest on her bottom lip as she observed him.  “You know,” she commented conversationally, tossing the pens and the pads to the table beside her.  “For someone who was so adamant about us doing this research and finding these women, you sure are awfully lackadaisical now that we might actually have some information worth sharing.”

“Really?” he questioned as he grabbed a chair and swung it around so he could sit in it backwards.  “Like what?”

“I’m not sure I feel like sharing it now.”

Trick took a deep breath, trying to quell the anger he felt at Bo’s flippant attitude.  Lauren remained dutifully silent, though she let her attention wander from her research to the tableau taking place in front of her.  Bo simply gazed at Trick and waited for him to come to a decision.  Trick closed his eyes briefly, but when they opened, there was a calmness to his expression that hadn’t been there before. “I’m sorry,” he said simply to Bo.  “I don’t want word of this situation spreading throughout the Fae community until we know exactly what we’re dealing with and have a handle on things as much as we can.  However, I did impress upon you the urgency of the circumstances we’re facing and I appreciate your expediency in researching things.”

Bo waited another moment before she nodded, then reached toward the table and picked up the notepad.  “The good news is I think I have found Xena and Gabrielle.”

Trick’s brows went into his hairline.  “Do tell.”

She flipped through a couple pages of notes before tapping her pen on one particular paragraph.  “Hmm… yeah.  They appear to have a holding company called WarriorBard Enterprises.  It’s an umbrella corporation that covers a number of different businesses, including, but not limited to security, a publishing house, a theatre, a dojo, a clothing line, and a school for service animals.  That’s without going into all the charitable things they’re involved in or the scientific R&D.  They are based in New York City, though they do seem to travel quite a bit as well.”

“Really?” Trick said with a frown, tilting his head and chewing on a thumbnail.  “Do you know where?”

“Where what?  They travel?” seeing the scowl deepen and Trick turn impatient eyes her way.  She flipped through her notes, running her finger down the correct page until she found what she wanted.  “Yeah.  It looks like they’ve been all over the world… more so in recent years than they had in a while. Hmm….”

“What?”

Bo shook her head.  “Not sure.” browsing through the pages as quickly as she could.  “Most of the travel seems fairly random - all except….”

“Except what?” Trick asked, trying to prompt her to continue.

Bo snapped her head up and glared at his impatience, but before she could bite off a cutting remark, Lauren was right there, rubbing small circles between her shoulder blades.  “Remember that we don’t know what you’ve seen or what conclusions you’ve drawn,” she whispered.  “He’s not pushing, but we need to know,” resting a hand on Bo’s shoulder.  Bo nodded.

“Right.”  She turned back to Trick, who was watching the two of them with patient indulgence.  “So most of their trips tend to be for months at a time.  But the last few years, at basically the same time, they’ve gone somewhere for a week to ten days - no more, no less.  It’s always to a different city, and it looks like they host some kind of gathering or convention or…?”  She shook her head.  “Still working on it - doesn’t actually matter, I don’t think.”

“Great, I guess.  Does that have some bearing…?”

“Not sure.  I’ve traced them to New Orleans for their latest trip.”  She met Trick’s eyes.  “Now correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that place like, a hotbed of paranormal activity?”

“I don’t know if it’s paranormal or just odd, but we do have a significant Fae community down there.  Let me contact a guy I know and see if I can get some answers.”  He clapped the back of the chair and pushed himself to his feet.  “Good work, Bo.  Why don’t you girls take a break for a little while?  It may take me a little while to reach Darius, and you’ve been pushing on this for a couple days already.”

She nodded and took Lauren’s hand.  “Sounds good, Old Man.  And at least we know we can find them in New York if nowhere else.”

Trick snorted.  “Because that’s such a blessing,” rubbing a hand over his face.  “Never was fond of that place.  Make sure you get yourselves something to eat before you do anything else.”

“We’ll stop by the kitchen and talk to Colm.”

“Good.  I know he’ll feed you.”  He crossed to the door but hesitated with his hand on the knob.  “Thank you both.  After you’ve eaten and gotten a little rest, we’ll go over things again… in more detail.  The more we know….”

“… the better for us.  Got it.  We’ll be upstairs for a while, so if you hear from Darius….”

“… I’ll let you know.  Go on now.  I’ve got work to do.”  And with that he opened the door and let himself out, knowing they wouldn’t be far behind.

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

“Okay,” Henry spoke into the silence that followed Kate’s storytelling.  “That’s….”

“… a lot to consider,” Will cut in.  “Is that everything you know?  I mean….” backtracking when Kate glared at him.  A hand on her arm from Magnus made her take a deep breath and sit back.

“That’s all we know,” Magnus replied, holding Will’s eyes with hers.  “I have a few theories, but we’re going to have to do a lot of research on this.  I haven’t actually come across the talisman or the story before, so I’m curious if something has happened that’s brought this to our attention now.”  She looked between Henry and Will.  “Since Kate is the only one we are certain is safe from the talisman itself, I think the three of us should focus on the research.  We need to know the origin of the piece and what it’s for - that will go a long way to helping us figure out how to… disarm it.”

Will tilted his head.  “Disarm it?”

Magnus nodded.  “I know you didn’t feel anything.”  She paused.  “Wait… did you feel anything?”

Will stared at her thoughtfully, then shrugged.  “Not really.  I mean… I really wanted to study it, but it didn’t make me angry or uncomfortable or anxious.”

“Do you feel any differently now that the box is closed?  A lessening of curiosity or desire?”

Will shook his head.  “Not really.  I’d still like to get my hands on it… study it up close and in depth, but I’m not going to go crazy if I don’t.”  He frowned, but Magnus spoke again before he could formulate a question from his thoughts.

“What about you, Henry?” she asked, focusing on the man who’d remained mostly silent.  He blew out a breath and brought his eyes up to meet hers.

“I don’t… hmm, it didn’t make me uncomfortable like it did the Big Guy… and apparently you,” gesturing in her direction.  “But there was just the slightest hum along my nerve endings… kind of like an awareness.”

Helen nodded.  “And what did it make you aware of?”

Henry shook his head.  “It was more like a feeling of the lightest electrical current skittering across my nerve endings.  Not enough to cause any type of physical change, but kind of what you feel when your arm or leg is waking up after having fallen asleep, ya know?” seeing the rest nod their understanding.  “It didn’t really feel like anything other than that to me.”

Helen clasped her hands together and brought them to her lips.  “Interesting,” she said slowly.

“What did it do to you?” Will asked.  Helen met his eyes and sighed.  

“It called to me… like I had to have it, and no one else could.  It was mine and only mine.”

“Wow.  That’s a pretty aggressive response.”

“I know.  My preliminary working theory is that it affects all abnormals to some degree, but I think it’s worse for those that are… longer lived.”

“So, the longer the life, the worse the reaction?”

“That’s my thinking, yes.”

Will blew out a breath.  “That could be bad.”

Helen rolled her eyes.  “Master of understatement, Will.”

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

“Trick!  What’s happenin’, my man?”

“Darius, my friend!  How are things in the Big Easy?”

“Smooth as whiskey, my brother.  What I can do for you?”

“I need some information.  We may have a Fae situation.”

Darius walked out of the crowded bar he was in and continued walking until he was out of the Quarter.  “Talk to me.”

“Have you noticed any heightened activity down there recently?”

“There was a Headless Horseman sightin’ a couple nights ago… saw it myself.  It wasn’t like anything,” he paused and shook his head.  “It wasn’t exactly like anything in the Fae community, though there were some similarities, ya know?  Thing that bothers me is there hasn’t been a lot of talk about it.  You’d think that kinda thing would make some news… somethin’, but….  I’d kinda like to ask the storyteller, but she’s already gone.  I’ll talk to my friends here… put some feelers out.  If it’s been seen once, it’ll be seen again… even if it ain’t by one of us.  Anything else?”

“Yeah, there are a couple women there I need you to find.”

“Aw, now, Trick… since when you be needin’ help with the ladies?” Darius laughed.

“Not like that, smart ass!  They’re a couple of immortals - came into town a few days ago.  Go by the names Xena and Gabrielle.”

“Yeah, yeah… I know ‘em, but they ain’t here no more.  Gabrielle was the storyteller tellin’ about the Headless Horseman when it appeared outta nowhere.  Everybody thought it was her partner Xena, but that badass chick was still standin’ on the stage with Gabrielle decked out in her street clothes.”  He paused long enough that Trick was forced to prompt him to speak again.  “Sorry, man.  I was just thinkin’ - Xena and Gabrielle both seemed… shocked by the Horseman’s appearance, so whatever it was, it wasn’t something they’d put into place for effect, ya know.”

Trick sighed.  “I know.  I also know this means a trip to New York to talk to those women.  God, I hate New York.

Darius laughed.  “Don’t be like that, man.  What’d New York ever do to you?”

Trick snorted.  “Don’t even get me started.  Thanks for the info, my friend.  Don’t be a stranger.”

“You either, Old Man.  Later.”


Chapter XV

Sameen Shaw sat quietly in the darkness of early morning, waiting for a private jet to land at the almost deserted airfield.  She was parked as close to the hanger door as was safe; the weather was almost bad enough to warrant her pulling the vehicle directly into the hanger, though that wasn’t possible until the plane made its way inside first.  For now, she idly watched the rain sheet off the windshield as she scanned the surrounding area for the lights that would indicate her charges had made it safely home.  She shifted in her seat and let her mind roll back - to when she had first met Xena and Gabrielle and had her life completely changed… again.

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

When the phone had rung and it had been Root’s voice on the end, she’d been heartened initially.  After all, it meant Root wasn’t completely gone from her and was still around to watch her back.  And on one level, that had been comforting - Root had always been her best when looking out for Sameen Shaw.  That acknowledgment, however, brought to the fore the fact that Samantha Groves - the woman who had loved Sameen so completely that she’d gotten inside walls that had been standing for decades without so much as a by-your-leave - was forever to lost to her.  No more teasing words or glances; no more aggravation for the sake of getting a snarky response; no more kind words or reality checks; no more Root beside her.  And that thought had been more than Shaw could bear.

She had sucked in a shaky breath, tightening her hand on the leash she still held and willed herself to keep putting one foot in front of the other.  Bear felt her anxiety instantly and trotted back to her side, shoving his nose into her hand and forcing her to kneel to respond.  It was simply unfortunate that she’d decided to have this breakdown on a crowded New York sidewalk.  A man, who’d been walking too closely behind her to begin with, nearly plowed into her when she stopped walking, then almost tumbled over when she knelt down.  He’d snarled, “Watch it, Bitch.  People’s walkin’ here.”  She simply gave him a look that forced his hand into his hair to check for fire before he’d snorted and shook his head as he turned and walked off.

Sameen put her face down into Bear’s neck and breathed, unwilling to completely break down in public.  After a moment, she felt a warm hand on her shoulder, and she growled.  Bear whimpered and placed a paw on her leg, and she sighed, recognizing that whoever had the audacity to touch her was someone Bear knew as a friend.  It didn’t make her less angry, though, and she was more than ready to go off on whoever had intruded on her grief.  She glanced up, scathing words on the tip of her tongue, only to be swallowed in confusion when she met green eyes full of compassion and understanding.  Without comprehending why, she took the hand that was proffered and allowed herself to be tugged to her feet.  Bear wandered to the stranger’s side and thrust his head under her hand.  Gabrielle absently stroked his head without taking her eyes from Sameen’s brown ones.

After a moment, she finally spoke.  “Come along, Sameen.  I’ve got something to show you.”

“How do you know who I am?  Who are you?”

Gabrielle didn’t respond.  She continued petting Bear and watching Sameen.

Shaw growled again, causing Bear to whimper and shift back to her side.  Gabrielle didn’t move… didn’t flinch, but waited for Sameen to make a decision.  Finally, she nodded, though she tightened her grip on Gabrielle’s hand.  “You better not be screwing with me, Lady.  I can make you disappear so not even your mother could find you.”

Gabrielle couldn’t decide which emotion to feel - sadness about a mother that had been gone so long she was no longer even dust; anger at Shaw’s presumption; or humor that Shaw believed she could actually act against her successfully.  In the end, she settled for a non-committal expression and waited for Sameen to choose to trust her.  Shaw studied her intently, intrigued by the singular lack of response to her words.  She loosened her grip, surprised when Gabrielle simply intertwined their fingers together and tugged on them gently but firmly enough to indicate their way.  Without another word, she fell into step beside the blonde woman that she could practically see eye to eye, not surprised when Bear crossed to walk in front of them, almost tangling her in the leash.

“Bear!” she exclaimed with a shaky laugh, trying not to trip and unwilling to give up the comfort she found having Gabrielle’s hand tangled with hers.

Gabrielle smiled.  “Would you like me to take him?”

“No!” Sameen barked.  “I mean, no, thank you,” she corrected almost immediately.  “I just… I need….”

Gabrielle held up her free hand.  “You don’t need to explain anything to me, Sameen.  I understand… truly,” looking into brown eyes once more and allowing Shaw to see what so many others never had the opportunity to witness.  “I’ve been where you are, and when you’re ready to talk, I’ll be here, ready to listen.”

“Even if I never am?”

“Your timetable,” Gabrielle assured her.  “Whatever and whenever you decide. For now, though, I need you to trust me, all right?”

Sameen shook her dark head.  “My head tells me I’m stupid for even thinking about this, but my gut insists it’s what I need.”  She sighed.  “Well… let’s go,” motioning them vaguely forward in the direction they had been traveling, trying to seem casual.

Gabrielle’s smile was blinding, and Shaw felt herself wanting to respond, despite everything.  Still, she managed to hold onto her stoic countenance, despite Gabrielle’s next words.  “You won’t regret this… I promise.”

“I can only hope,” she mumbled in response, allowing Gabrielle to pull her along to their destination.

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

Shaw shook her head, grinning to herself as she remembered the encounter.  If only she had known then just how much meeting Gabrielle would change her entire life - more than medical school or the Marines... in some ways, even more than meeting Team Machine - she might not have been so reluctant.  She’d have still put on a show, of course.  She did have a reputation to uphold after all.  But she might also have been better prepared for what was coming.

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

Shaw vaguely recognized the building they stopped in front of - it was like any other number of old buildings in New York City - lovely because of its old, classic architecture.  She was fairly certain she passed this one regularly, just given its location, but she couldn’t recall actually taking notice of it either.  She stood looking for a moment, and Gabrielle waited patiently until brown eyes turned her way.  Sameen cocked an eyebrow.  “Is there something I should be looking for or...?”

Gabrielle smiled and shook her head.  “No.  You seemed interested in looking and we’re not in a particular hurry.  I figured you’d let me know when you were finished.”

“Uh... yeah, yeah.  I’m done.”

Gabrielle nodded.  “All right.  You and Bear follow me.”  Gabrielle opened the door and ushered them into the lobby, smiling to herself when she noticed Sameen trying not to gawk.  She walked in and past them, hearing Shaw’s muttered curse when Bear pulled her along to keep from being left behind.  Instead of going to the elevators, Gabrielle stepped to one side and opened another door, this one hidden in plain sight.  Sameen’s brows rose, knowing it would have taken several minutes for her to discover the door, even if she’d been looking for it, and it made her wonder what she had stumbled into.  To her surprise, however, she wasn’t alarmed... only curious.

Gabrielle held the door open, and Bear nearly pulled Sameen’s arm from the socket, causing her to almost jerk back in reflex.  “Bear!!” she called. “Hou op!”  He turned and looked at her, as though gauging her sincerity.  She held his eyes, and the shepherd visibly deflated, but he stopped and waited for her to catch up.  Shaw turned to Gabrielle.  “Sorry.  He’s usually better behaved.”

Gabrielle smiled.  “It’s fine, Sameen.  I understand his enthusiasm.  Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” she replied gruffly.  “Let’s go.”

Gabrielle recognized the defensive look in Shaw’s eyes, so she simply nodded and turned back toward the hallway.  She passed two doors before stopping in front of the third and knocking.  The door opened, but before they could step inside or anyone could exit, Bear pulled free from Sameen’s grip and dashed into the room.  Sameen was only a step behind him, but she froze as she crossed the threshold.

She didn’t notice that Gabrielle and another woman had moved to one side but remained in the room.  Her entire focus was on the figure on the bed - a figure that, according to the state-of-the-art machines surrounding the bed, was alive… and if not well, at least NOT DEAD.  Not dead… although she had been assured by Fusco that she was - that he had seen her in the morgue.  Shaw wanted to be angry, and she knew she would be eventually, but for now she had to check - had to be sure - that what she was seeing was not simply her mind playing tricks on her.

She inched forward, absently noting Bear’s placement laying at the side of the bed, though she never took her eyes from the still figure on the bed.  She placed her hands on the rail that was raised alongside the mattress, gently lowering it so there was nothing between them.  She glanced up at the many machines surrounding the bed - heart rate; blood pressure; oxygen intake; heartbeats per minute - at the multiple IVs putting fluids and drugs into a body that was still living, and at the cannula forcing oxygen in and the catheter pulling the toxins out.  She slowly inched a hand from the sheet to the closest appendage - a hand with an IV needle stuck in it - until she could just touch.  She ran her touch just the length of the pinkie finger, nearly collapsing in relief when she felt the warmth... the TRUTH... of Root’s living, breathing condition.  Shaw didn’t even realize her knees had buckled until Xena whispered into her ear.

“You all right?”

She nodded dumbly, almost catatonic from shock.  She stared at Root for long moments, this time with the eyes of a doctor.  Obviously, she was in serious condition, but she appeared stable... and alive.  Shaw stepped forward, only then realizing Xena had been supporting her.  She took a deep breath and moved forward on shaky knees, brushing some stray curls from Root’s face and then leaning their foreheads together.  She closed her eyes and breathed for several minutes, before she asked quietly, “How??  Fusco swore she was dead.”

“She almost was,” Gabrielle replied.  “Xena was in the hospital that afternoon.”

Shaw turned furious brown eyes their way, glancing over Xena before locking onto Gabrielle.  “What does that even mean?” she hissed.  “Who are you people??  What is this place??”

“Sameen... you need to take a deep breath and calm down.  I know this is a shock, but getting angry with us isn’t going to help matters.”

“And that’s another thing,” Shaw growled as though Gabrielle hadn’t even spoken.  “How do you know who I am??  I’m so far off the grid....”

Gabrielle snorted gently.  “No one is off the grid if one has enough time and money to go looking.”

Sameen moved quickly, but not so fast that Xena couldn’t step in front of Gabrielle, fire burning in ice blue eyes.  “I wouldn’t,” she warned.

Shaw smirked, stepping directly into Xena’s personal space despite their seven inch height difference. “Or what?” she pushed, then grabbing for her neck when she suddenly couldn’t breathe as she dropped to her knees.

“Or I’ll cut off the flow of blood to your brain.”. Xena stared at her dispassionately.

“Xena,” Gabrielle cautioned gently as Sameen began to turn blue.  Xena cut her eyes at Gabrielle, then sighed and reached her hands out.

“You ready to put that chip down and listen?”  Shaw nodded frantically, still clawing at her throat. Xena’s fingers flew to Shaw’s neck with lightning speed, and in another second, she fell forward onto her hands, gasping for breath.

“What the hell was that??” she coughed.  She cut her eyes at Bear and glared.  “Really??  Not even a whimper outta you?”  She sat back on her heels and rubbed her throat, sucking in air slowly.

“That was The Pinch,” Gabrielle said.  “One of the more effective and humane interrogation techniques in our arsenal,” smiling when Sameen’s brows shot into her hairline.  “Now,” extending a hand and helping Shaw to her unsteady feet.  “How about you and I go up to my office?  We can have some lunch, and I’ll try to answer some of your questions.”

Shaw rubbed her hand over her neck again and nodded, idly wondering if it would leave a bruise.  “Sure.”. She turned and looked back at Xena, who had re-raised the rail and was currently checking the machine readouts and marking some notes on the chart she held.  “Are you... can you...?” Shaw broke off, not knowing exactly what to ask.  Xena looked squarely at her, compassion clear in her glance.

“She’s not completely out of the woods, but she’s turned that corner,” knowing Sameen would understand.  “We wanted to be sure before Gabrielle came to find you.  I expect she’ll make a full recovery.”

Shaw nodded tersely.  “Good... good,” shoving her hands into her back pockets.  “I’ll just....”  She shrugged and made her way to the door where Gabrielle was waiting.  She stepped out, then almost immediately back in.  “Can you teach me that...?” balling her fists up loosely and punching out with them.

Xena’s expression didn’t change, though her eyes did twinkle briefly before returning to the chart she held in her hand.  “We’ll see.”

Gabrielle stuck her head back in.  “You coming up for lunch?”

Xena nodded.  “As soon as I finish up here.”  She looked at her watch.  “Elizabeth should be here shortly.  I’ll be up after I turnover.”

“I’ll keep it warm for you,” Gabrielle commented as she ushered Shaw out the door.  Bear didn’t even glance their way.  He was exactly where he needed to be, and he had a feeling the Tall One knew her business.  Root was in good hands.

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

Shaw smiled as she came back from her memories, peering through the sheeting rain when she noticed the lights that were slowly taxiing her way.  It hadn’t been the most auspicious introduction, but it had been an unexpected beginning, and Sameen was proud to count Xena and Gabrielle among her dearest friends.

The jet was moving fairly slowly in deference to the rain, but it was still moving forward, and in only minutes, it had pulled into the hanger with water sluicing from it and leaving puddles in its wake.  Shaw started the car and drove it inside far enough to ensure that neither she nor her passengers would get wet... though if the wind started blowing sideways, all bets were off.

She parked and turned it off before she stepped foot outside, careful not to lean against the sopping wet hood.  Instead, she assumed the stance and waited for the flight crew to drop the stairs and let her passengers free.

Gabrielle stepped out first, followed immediately by Xena who stood calmly at her back.  They both looked her way at the same time, obviously surprised to see her and not their regular driver.  She raised a hand to let them know that everything was fine, then popped the trunk.  She stepped forward to assist with the luggage, which Gabrielle allowed and Xena just rolled her eyes.  Shaw smirked and walked to the back of the vehicle, knowing Xena would follow as a matter of course.  They hefted the bags in, then Sameen moved to the passenger door to hold it open for Xena to slide in.  Xena rolled her eyes again and jerked her chin toward the front; Shaw laughed and slipped into the driver’s seat.  In another moment, they were on their way into the City.

“Is everything all right, Sameen?” Gabrielle asked as she poured water for both her and Xena.  “Where’s MacGregor?”

“At the hospital with his wife, last I heard.  Premature labor.”

“Is she all right?”

“Haven’t had any updates,” watching Xena and Gabrielle exchange concerned glances.  “Root promised to call as soon as there was news,” nodding when she watched them relax at her words.  

“Well, we appreciate you picking us up.”

“Gave me something to do,” she shrugged.  Everybody else is busy with that search you’ve got ‘em on.”  She glanced in the mirror at them again.  “And you know how Root gets when I get near any technology that isn’t my phone.”  She smirked and Gabrielle laughed.  Xena cocked an eyebrow, but she couldn’t hide the humor in her eyes.  Shaw turned her eyes to the road, and focused hard, despite the empty streets, attempting an appearance at nonchalant.  “You guys okay?  Root told me a little of what was going on.”

Gabrielle smiled.  “We’re good, Sameen.  We just didn’t think it was prudent to spend time in New Orleans playing tourists when we’ve got the girls and Kurt working so hard to find... something.”

“So, this guy is really bad news then?”

“The worst,” Gabrielle replied.  A glance at Xena showed the tightening of her jaw.  “I wouldn’t wish this guy on my worst enemy,” she declared.

“He is the worst enemy,” Xena said through clenched teeth, “and he deserves everything he’s got coming to him... in spades.”

“Tell us how you really feel, Big X,” Shaw teased... before catching the murderous look in Xena’s eyes.  Her shiver was barely perceptible, but it was there, and she dropped her eyes back to the empty road.  “Or not,” she muttered.  She’d never admit it to another soul, of course, especially not to Root, but Xena scared her... just a little.  She knew most didn’t see it, but she could sense the darkness that stayed mostly hidden... because she had seen hints of it in herself.  She respected the fact that Xena had such iron control; she suspected that had a lot to do with Gabriele and the bond they so obviously shared.  “Sorry, Xena.”

Xena shook her head.  “No... I’m sorry, Shaw.  This guy brings back a lot of bad memories and emotions.  Doesn’t mean you deserve to be at the other end of my... frustration.”

“Maybe you and I should spar for a little while when we get back.  Don’t know about you, but I could afford to shake out a few cobwebs after a week of you being gone.”

Gabrielle laid a hand on Xena’s leg, drawing her attention.  “That sounds like a good idea, Xe.  I’ll go check on the girls... see what progress they’ve made.  Once I’ve gotten them squared away for the night, I’ll come relieve Sameen.”

Xena studied her face carefully.  “Are you sure?”

Gabrielle chuckled, though it was slightly strained.  “Yes.  I could use the workout too,” admitting a truth that she rarely spoke of.  “If you spar with Sameen first, I might have a chance to keep up.”

Xena snorted.  “You’ve been able to keep up for a long, long time, Bard.  Don’t even try to use that line of bull with me.”  She turned back to Sameen who was studiously avoiding their conversation.  “You’ve got yourself a date, Shaw.  Loser buys breakfast.”

“How about we spar, and you buy breakfast?”

“I’ll pay - you go get.”

“Deal.”


Chapter XVI

Kurt and Root were the only two in the room when Gabrielle crossed the threshold.  She looked around carefully to be sure she hadn’t missed Casey and Brittany, then turned back to Kurt, knowing he would be the one likely to explain.  “We decided to split things up a little.  That way someone’s always here and working, even if something comes up... like MacGregor’s emergency earlier.  Casey drove them to the hospital so Mac could stay with June.  I think she was planning to stay until the birth or she was due back here... whichever came first.  She said she’d pick up breakfast.”

“I’ll give her a call... see if she’s downstairs yet.  I know it’s not likely, since we haven’t heard anything about the new baby, but I’d really like her to be rested as much as possible.”

“I understand.  We talked about it earlier, briefly.  We decided it might be in our best interests - Brittany, Santana’s and mine - to stay here for now.  It saves time, and if this is a crucial as it sounded, we can’t really afford to waste it going back and forth to Brooklyn.”

Gabrielle nodded.  “We already put furniture into place in one apartment so your son can stay with you when it’s your turn to have him.  We’ll make sure you have time with him, and we’ll bring in a nanny if we have to.  I know you don’t want your child to be raised by nannies, but this is a short term solution for an emergency situation.  Let us help how we can, because we need you here for this.”

Kurt nodded and released a sigh.  “Thank you, Gabrielle.  I wasn’t sure how I was going to manage, and I don’t want to give Blaine any ammunition for a custody suit.”

“You think he would?”

Kurt’s shoulders dropped.  “It wouldn’t be the first time he threatened it.”

Gabrielle nodded her understanding, but otherwise, she remained silent.  She would talk to Xena; there had to be something they could do without actually making Blaine disappear into a black hole.  Despite the hurt he had caused Kurt, she knew Kurt still cared for Blaine as the other father of their child.  Still, it wouldn’t hurt to put the fear of the Warrior Princess into him.  It might make him a better human being at least.

Gabrielle blinked and brought her attention back to the room.  “What do we have so far?”

Kurt shook his head.  “A lot of nothing on my end.  There is absolutely no mention of this Saligia person in any database I’ve looked at so far.  If it wasn’t you and Xena asking, I’d swear you were playing an elaborate practical joke.”

“Gotta agree,” Root said as she stood up and stretched, running her fingers through her hair.  “Britt and I are having a hell of a time coming up with a workable algorithm.  There is so much to consider.”  She shook her head.  “We’re doing it in pieces so we can check each other as we go along.  It’s gonna take a few days.”  She looked around.  “Where’s Sameen?”

“The gym.  Sameen asked for a sparring session, and Xena agreed.  I’m going to go shortly and relieve Sameen before it gets too bloody,” said semi-seriously.  Xena and Sameen were exceptional warriors, and they could usually pull their punches when sparring, so no one truly got hurt.  There had only been one time that things had gotten really messy, and they’d tried to be more careful - no one wanted to explain those kinds of injuries to an emergency room doctor, and if it had been any worse, an emergency room visit would have been the least of their concerns.  Fortunately, training together only made them better, and they had both learned better control.  Xena told Gabrielle it had been a lot like when she had started training with the staff; the difference was Sameen did have some hand-to-hand experience that Xena had to teach out of her so she could show her a better way.

Root nodded.  “Good.  She’s been a little antsy this week.  No one puts her through her paces like Big X, and there’s just so much sex you can have before someone ends up hurt or sore.”

“TMI, Root!” Kurt exclaimed, slapping his hands over his ears, though he couldn’t stop the blush that colored his face.  “God, you need a filter!”

She laughed.  “Sameen says the same thing.  I don’t see it happening.”

He laughed and shook his head.  “Me either.”

Gabrielle grinned.  “I’m guessing Britt is home with Santana?”

“Out with Santana, actually.  Zoe called her with a late fixer job to take care of, so Britt was going to meet her for dinner afterwards.  They’re supposed to stop by on the way home.  Britt’s gonna go downstairs and get some sleep.  I think Santana’s gonna go back to their place and grab some personal effects; she’ll bring them with her tomorrow so they’ll be comfortable for the duration.”

“On that note, I should probably go check on the war zone,” as the gym was commonly referred to.  “I need to let Casey know breakfast is already taken care of first.”  She grinned.  “Price of sparring at oh-dark-thirty in the morning.  Xe pays; Sameen fetches.”

“Well, she is quite lovely when she fetches,” Root said with a lecherous grin.

“ROOT!” Kurt howled, causing Root to laugh and wrap him up in a hug as she pressed a sloppy kiss to his cheek.  

“Love you, Kurt.”

He rolled his eyes.  “So you say,” he muttered, even as he pulled her into his embrace.  “Don’t you have some work to do?”

She sighed deeply but brushed a kiss over his head as she pulled away.  “Yes, you slave driver,” going back to her computer.  Gabrielle followed and patted her shoulder.

“I’ll send Sameen to you when she’s done.”

“Thank you, Gabrielle.”

Gabrielle patted her back and made her way out the door.

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

HG and Myka had returned to their hotel after witnessing the vision of the night rider.  They still weren’t completely convinced that they had been sent to New Orleans to find Anne Rice’s typewriter, but now they had the added mystery of whatever apparition they’d seen.  They went immediately up to their room, and HG took out the laptop as Myka grabbed the cord to attach the phone to the computer.  As soon as they got it hooked up, they sat down side by side to look at the evidence they had (hopefully) collected.

HG squinted as the pictures started to come up.  They were dark and blurry, but she had high hopes that between them and Claudia, they might get some useful images.  She had an idea she wanted to run by Myka, but they needed a clear image first.  “Darling....” she started, not surprised when Myka moved to turn off the light before she could actually ask the question.  She grinned and patted Myka’s leg as she resumed her seat beside HG.  “Thank you, darling.  I love how you always know before I say a word.”

Myka smiled and blushed, looking down as she shrugged.  “I always have.”

HG gazed at her affectionately for a long moment, then took her free hand and tucked a curl behind Myka’s ear before cupping her chin to bring their eyes level.  “You have,” HG agreed, “and you have no idea what that means to me.  It always has.”

Myka dropped her eyes but clasped the hand on her chin, bringing it down to the hand on her leg and linking them together.  “I’m glad.”

“Me too.  Now,” she continued, hoping to lighten the atmosphere, “we need to find a good image to send to Claudia.  And I have a friend I’d like to show it to - someone I’d like you to meet, actually - from my time.”

Myka frowned.  “Someone else who was bronzed?” trying to recall who all had been in the vault and the possibility of any of them having been released recently.  “I don’t remember... I know Artie’s not too keen on opening it... letting anyone out.  I can’t imagine....”. She stopped speaking when soft fingers covered her lips.

“No one from the vault, Darling.  Helen was a dear friend who was doing work with abnormal science.  Only  one of her experiments gave her immortality... or at least extending her life span well beyond the average human one.  She might have some idea what this... thing is,” gesturing toward the monitor.  “If it makes it easier, she’s well aware of the Warehouse and what it is and is for.  We were friends when I was working for Warehouse 12, and I’ve been in touch with her several times since being brought back to Warehouse 13.  The worst she can say is that she doesn’t recognize the figure.”

Myka searched HG’s eyes for a long moment, then nodded her assent.

“If you trust this woman, well... I trust you.  I would like to meet her though.  I bet she can tell some good stories on you.”

HG narrowed her eyes.  “I may need to rethink this idea.”  She turned back to the computer.  “We’ve got to find a clearer image first.  Claudia may be able to clean it up better, but we need to send her more than a blur.”

Myka lifted their twined fingers and brushed a kiss over HG’s knuckles before releasing her hold and turning back to the screen.  She nudged HG over aa she scooted her chair closer to the screen.  “Let me see what I can find,” leaning forward.

HG sat stunned for a moment, then nodded slowly and rose from her seat.  She crossed to their luggage and pulled Myka’s glasses from her backpack, then walked back to Myka and laid over her spine to place the glasses on the keyboard, putting her hands on tight shoulders and starting a strong massage without another word.  Myka stiffened for a second before relaxing into the touch and letting her mind focus on its task.

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

Daniel Jackson knocked on the door, stepping back so he could get a better look at the house Sam and Janet shared in Colorado Springs.  It was much as he remembered it from his time as a member of SG1, though there were definite signs that a small child lived here... or at least visited regularly.  He brought his attention back to the door as he heard footsteps approach, smiling at Janet when she opened the door and squealed when she saw his face.  He braced himself as she jumped into his arms, holding her tightly and rocking her back and forth as she cried in his arms.  He eased her down gently when he felt her tears taper off, setting her back on the porch and cupping her chin in his hands.

“Hey... you all right?” he asked with a gentle smile, easing the tears away with his thumbs.  She shook her head and chuckled, covering her mouth as more tears slid down her face.  “Janet?”

She caught his hands and held them in hers.  “Oh, Daniel... it’s so good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see you too, but I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“You didn’t.  I mean... you did, but for good reasons, I promise.  Come in... come in - we’ve missed you so much.”  She tugged him into the house and closed the door behind him.  “Sam will be so glad you’re here.  She’s teaching class this morning, but she’ll be home before lunch.  Can I get you something to drink?  Some coffee, maybe?  We’ve stayed true to the recipe you shared with Cass.”

“I’d love some, thanks; it will give us a chance to catch up.”  He crossed in the living room, noting the stack of children’s books and movies sitting next to a bean bag chair that was to one side of the fireplace.  He walked to the mantle, looking at the pictures strewn across it.  He recognized many of them - most of them of Sam and Janet and Cassie through the years.  There were several of SG1, and a few newer ones that showed Cassie as an adult - with her husband; pregnant; with a baby; and with a young child.  Those made him smile the most - it was gratifying to recognize the happiness in them again that had been brought about because of his interference in bringing Janet back to them.  He lifted the photograph that stood proudly front and center on the mantle.  It was of the family - Sam and Janet’s - with Sam and Cassie’s husband standing, Janet and Cassandra sitting in front of their respective spouses, and a beautiful little girl between them.  He was smiling and blinking back tears when Janet walked back into the room.

He cleared his throat and turned to carefully replace the picture in its spot of honor.  “You have a beautiful family, Janet.  Thank you,” accepting the coffee cup and bringing it to his nose to inhale deeply before taking his first sip.  He smiled.  “That’s good.  One of the things I miss most about being human.”

“Do you really miss it?” Janet asked, taking a seat on the couch and patting the place beside her.  He seated himself as he nodded.

“I do... at least certain aspects of it.”  He shrugged and set his mug on the table.  “Don’t get me wrong - being ascended has its perks, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be either.  Still, it let me bring you home, and that will probably always be the highlight for me.”

He lifted his cup to his lips while accepting the hand she proffered.  “Thank you for that, Daniel.  You changed all of our lives when you did that, and it means... it means everything.  I will never be able to repay you....”

He cut her off.  “I wouldn’t let you.  Freely given, Janet.  You were a missing part of our family.”  He squeezed her hand once before releasing his grip.  “So how is retirement treating you?  You look amazing.”

“We’re loving it,” she confessed with a grin.  “Sam’s doing a lot of work in her lab; she gets to teach once a week; and she still has plenty of time to do things she wants to do, including spending time with our granddaughter.  That’s... it’s satisfying in a way nothing else has ever been.”

“And you?”

“Me?  I breathe a little easier knowing she’s not out there every day.  I love being able to come home to her - knowing she’s here waiting for me.”

“Do you miss the Air Force?  Working at Cheyenne Mountain every day?”

“No.  I’m still at the hospital, and I’m brought in for anything that requires my specialized skills and knowledge.  But putting on the uniform?  No.  I did my time like Sam did hers.  I’m proud of my service, but I don’t want to go back.  I like where I am in my life and in my career, and I love who I’m with.  And I wouldn’t change that for anything... despite the fact that we wouldn’t be discharged or brought up on charges for being a couple now.  Life is good.”

Daniel smiled and patted her hand, taking another swallow of coffee as he pondered her words.  Finally, he nodded and set the cup on the table.  “I’m happy to hear that.  I was really hoping things would work out for you and Sam.  There was always something there - Teal’c and I talked about it several times,” holding up a hand when her eyes widened.  “He was trying to understand human culture - it was difficult and confusing for him.”

Janet snorted.  “For all of us,” she mumbled.

Daniel nodded his agreement.  “For all of us.”  He looked around.  “So... do you have any idea why Sam asked for me?  Not that I wouldn’t be here regardless - Sam is family, and we look after family.”

“No matter what Oma Desala and the rest say?”

“Especially then.  They’ve long since forgotten what got them to where they are, I think, and it tends to make them less compassionate than they should be.  I don’t ever want to forget where I came from or those who helped me get to where I am.”

“You’re a good man, Daniel Jackson.”

“Maybe,” he shrugged.  “I certainly don’t know how to be anyone else.”

“None of us do,” Janet agreed.  “As for why you’re here - do you remember a story you told Sam a long time ago?  You were off-world together, and it was likely around Halloween.  It had to do with a Ghost Rider that carried a bone whip.”

Daniel frowned and pinched his lower lip between his fingers, trying to remember the specific story Janet was referring to.  There were so many in his repertoire, and he had the distinct feeling this was important.  Janet watched him turn introspective, and she rose from the couch to go into the kitchen to start putting lunch together.  Sam should be home soon, and she wanted to have everything ready so there would be plenty of time to talk.  

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

Sam pulled into the driveway, her face a picture of happiness and contentment.  She pulled the helmet from her head and tucked it under her arm as she swung her leg over her bike before turning to retrieve the bag she’d shoved into the saddlebags.  A few quick strides brought her to the front door, and she pushed it open, even as she caught the handle to close it behind her.  She toed off her boots and placed the helmet on the table with her keys, then dropped the bag beside it on the floor.

“Hi, Honey,” she called out.  “I’m home,” turning to face the woman, who - by the smell of things - was probably in the kitchen preparing taco salad for lunch.  “It smells really....”  Her words trailed off as she met the blue eyes of a man she considered more her family than the man she called brother.  Her eyes widened in shock, and her voice dropped to a whisper. “Daniel?”

“Hi, Sam,” he replied softy.  “I’ve missed you,” opening his arms.  He suddenly missed her with an intensity he never would have believed possible in his human form.  He was thrilled when she raced into his arms and wrapped him up in a tight hug.

After a long moment, they separated, and Sam met his eyes.  “How long can you stay for?”

“As long as you need me,” he promised.  “However long it takes us to resolve this situation.”  He pulled her over to the sofa and tugged her down beside him.  “Why don’t you tell me why you called out for me, and I’ll see what I can do to help?”

“Why don’t you both come to the table and we’ll have some lunch and we’ll talk this through?  Then we’ll see if there is a solution.”

Without another word, the two of them rose.  Sam kissed Janet and pulled out a chair for her, seating her kindly before taking the one to her right.  Daniel held Sam’s chair, causing her eyes to widen in surprise, before she thanked him and neatly seated herself.  Then they filled their plates, and Daniel turned his attention to Sam, gesturing for her to begin.  She took a deep breath and started to speak.


Chapter XVII

He set his fork down when Sam finished, picking up his glass and leaning back in his chair.  “I’ve heard of the Skin Walkers, though to my knowledge it is strictly Native American Lore.  I haven’t found it in any other culture.  The Night Rider, on the other hand.... That legend has roots in many civilizations, because fear of punishment was the easiest to keep people in line.”  He took a long drink and set his glass down, leaning forward and resting his arms on the table.  “Egyptian legend says that Osiris actually used his brother Typhon in that role, until Typhon got fed up and beheaded his brother instead.  Now, we know the truth, but at the time, it was quite an effective tool to keep the slaves, and even his people, in line.  There wasn’t a mention of him as being headless - he did the beheading.”  He met Sam’s eyes. “Why is this bothering you?”

Sam shook her head.  “I don’t know.  There’s something familiar about the story.  I thought it was something you had told me, but I’m beginning to wonder if I was mistaken.”

“In what way, Sammie?”

Sam scrubbed her hands through her hair, making it stand up wildly before she shook her head.  “I’m not sure.  I just know from what Daniel just said, it wasn’t his story I was remembering.”

Daniel and Janet exchanged glances, but it was Janet who spoke.  “Do you think it might be something your mom told you... when you were a kid?”

Sam started to react angrily, but she stopped short as she considered Janet’s words.  She bit her lip and dropped her gaze to the table, running her hands through her hair once more.  “I suppose it’s possible.  There are a lot of things....” She trailed off and let her gaze turn inward.  Daniel rose and began clearing the table, but Janet remained seated beside Sam, covering her clasped hands to remind her she wasn’t alone.  Daniel was almost done washing the dishes when Sam came back to herself and looked around the room.  “Janet?”

“Hello, Lover,” smiling softly and squeezing her hand.  “Did you find the answers you were looking for?”

“I think I might have.  I have an idea now anyway.  Where’s Daniel?”

“Right here, Sam,” he replied as he walked out of the kitchen drying his hands and rolling down his sleeves.  “Don’t think I don’t know that was all a ploy to get out of washing the dishes,” he continued with a smile, though his eyes held more than a hint of concern.

She chuckled.  “You know it.  Though I am kind of a grand master dishwasher - I have a lot of practice.”  She ducked her head to hide her smile at Janet’s raised eyebrow.  “On the plus side, it keeps me out of the kitchen when it’s time to cook.  Not sure the house would survive a second attempt.”

Daniel snorted.  “Not sure any of us would,” he teased.  “I remember the MRE disaster of ‘99.”  He winced in memory.  “The only good thing about it was it didn’t last very long, but God... it felt like forever at the time.  I don’t think I’ve ever been that sick.”

Janet looked at him with brows furrowed.  “Was that the time the whole team came back with...?”

“Uh huh.”

“And you all ended up...?”

“Uh huh.”

Janet turned to Sam.  “Wow.  I never knew that was you.”

Sam glared at Daniel.  “And you still wouldn’t if someone had kept his big mouth shut.”  She looked at Janet.  “Not one of my prouder moments.”

“At least now I understand your reluctance to even try.  However, we’re getting off track.  What was your idea, Sammie?”

“I think....”  She turned to Daniel.  “Jan said when you found her, you had to return her memories - the ones that made her Janet Fraiser,” waiting for Daniel to nod.  “Did you bring her memories with you, or did you unlock them from within her?”

Daniel tilted his head, pretty sure he knew where Sam was going with her thought process.  “I never thought of bringing them with me, though I suppose I could have.  I knew she had them; I just had to remove the blocks that had been put in place to keep her from remembering.”

“And was it easy?”  She turned to Janet.  “For either of you?”

“It wasn’t painful, if that’s what you’re asking.  But it was exhausting.  I’m glad I did it - I wouldn’t trade my life and where I am for anything - but I’d really prefer to never have a repeat.”  They turned to Daniel.

He shrugged.  “It was a little different for me.  It was tiring, but nothing a little kelno’reem couldn’t take care of.  I’m certain it was a far harder trial for Janet than it was for me.  Why?  Do you think you’ve got blocked memories?”

Sam sighed.  “I don’t....”  She blew out a shaky breath, feeling the tears burn in the back of throat and eyes.  She blinked furiously and cleared her throat.  “When my mom died,” she spoke quietly, “I blocked a lot of things out.  It made it easier for me, because if I didn’t remember, then it wouldn’t hurt as much - it wouldn’t matter.  I think she may have told me a story like Gabrielle’s.”

“Would she have done that then?” Janet questioned.  “You were so young.”

“I know,” Sam said, twining their fingers together and squeezing.  “But it’s the only thing that makes sense.”

“And you want me to help you rediscover those memories?” Daniel asked.

Sam nodded.  “I’d like to try.”

Daniel rose from the chair he’d taken.  “All right.  Go upstairs and get comfortable.  I’ll be up shortly.”

Sam met his eyes.  “Can Janet come too?”

Daniel gave her an understanding smile and nodded.  “I think that would be the best thing for all of us.  Just make sure you’re comfortable.  It’s not a quick process, and you will need to sleep for a while when it’s over.  So do whatever it is you do now before settling down for bed.  Janet can bring you up some water, and she’ll let me know when you’re ready.”  He put a comforting hand on her shoulder and squeezed it lightly.  “Don’t worry, Sam.  We’ll figure this out.

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

Sameen leaned against the wall, wiping away the sweat and gingerly patting at the lip and nose that was still sluggishly bleeding.  She was a little miffed over the fact that Xena had tagged her twice, though she was grateful she’d been able to pull her punches.  As it was, kissing Root was going to be a little uncomfortable for the next day or two.  If Xena had hit her full force, kissing wouldn’t even be an option - she’d be in the hospital room downstairs recovering for the next week or two at least.  She brought a water bottle to her lips, wincing at the touch but grateful for the cold liquid making its way to her belly.  She glanced at her watch while she drank, hoping Xena and Gabrielle would be wrapping up soon, but not about to let Xena see her deliberately look at the time.  Last time that had happened, she’d ended up paying for breakfast, and she’d brooded for days.

She pulled the water from her mouth and wiped her face again gently with the towel, glad to see there was no more blood than there had been before.  Then she turned her attention to the battle in front her.  For all her experience, she’d never seen anything like the ballet Xena and Gabrielle created when they sparred, and she took the opportunity to watch whenever it was offered to her.

She watched as they wound down, both sweating profusely but grinning with a feral joy that only warriors understood.  When they were done, they were nose-to-nose, and the electricity between them could be felt around the room.  Of course, that meant Sameen needed to break the mood.

“Damn, you two!” dragging their attention away from each other to focus on her.  “I have got to figure out how you do that.”

Xena snorted; Gabrielle just chuckled, and they turned and made their way over to where she was standing by the door.  “A lifetime of practicing together, Sameen.  Nothing can make up for the years we’ve spent doing this together,” Gabrielle replied, leaning on her staff as they drew to a halt.   “How’s the face?”

Sameen lifted her hand to touch it, flinching when Xena caught it before she could reach it.  She glared but was met by impassive blue eyes, sword carelessly propped on one shoulder as she waited for Shaw to accede to her unspoken directive.  Sameen sighed loudly, but she dropped her hand and tilted her face up for Xena to examine.  Xena shifted her head gently, and Shaw recognized she was looking for hidden damage that could come back to bite her later.  After a moment, Xena released her face.

“You know you need to ice it.  I’ll give you something to help with the swelling and the pain.”

“Thanks.”

“Go get a shower and meet me downstairs in twenty minutes.  I’ll have it ready for you, and then you can go pick up our order.  Gabrielle’s going to call it in as soon as we get upstairs.”

Sameen looked like she was going to argue, but instead, simply nodded her head and walked towards the elevators.  Gabrielle and Xena watched her go, then turned and made their way to the penthouse loft.

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

Sam Carter felt as relaxed and rested as she ever had since her mother’s death.  It was still early morning when she woke, and she lay still as she absorbed the sound of early morning birds and the warmth of Janet curled up beside her.  She tucked one arm under her head and breathed slowly, matching her heartbeat to Janet’s, even as Janet curled up further into her.  She smiled and wrapped her other arm around her shoulders, not surprised to see sleepy brown eyes blink up at her.

“Good morning, Beautiful,” Sam whispered, loving the sleepy smile that crossed Janet’s face even as she struggled to wake up.  She stretched and draped herself further over Sam’s longer body, kissing her shoulder and tucking her dark head under her chin.

“Hey, Sexy.  How do you feel?”

Sam’s gaze went introspective, but she smiled.  “I feel... good... lighter.  I feel like a load has been lifted from my shoulders.”

“Do you remember the memories Daniel walked you through?”

“I do.  And I think I’d like to go talk to Gabrielle.”

Janet sat up enough that the covers slip partially down her naked body.  Sam noticed immediately, but the expression on Janet’s countenance stopped her from taking instant advantage of the opportunity presented to her.  Instead, she shifted her hand to tease lightly up and down her side while she waited for Janet to speak.

“Can I ask why?  I’m not against it - especially since it would mean a trip to New York - but I’d like to understand why you think it’s necessary.”

Sam shook her head.  “I’m not sure I can explain it.  It’s a gut feeling as much as anything.  I just think since she knew that story - a story I’ve never heard or read anywhere but from my mom - she might have some other answers.”

“All right.  I guess I better go see about getting us some time off and make some reservations.”

Sam tightened her arm around Janet’s waist.  “I think it can wait for a few minutes.”

Janet twined their fingers together as she slid from under the cover and stood up from the bed, tugging gently to encourage Sam to join her.  “It will wait for a few minutes better in the bathroom under the spray from the shower.  I know Daniel wouldn’t deliberately invade our privacy, but I don’t think we need to advertise either.  And let’s face it, Hon - neither of us is particularly focused on being quiet since Cass moved out.”

“Fair point,” Sam agreed as she led the way to the en suite.  “But I get to have my turn first.”

Janet grinned.  “We’ll see.”

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

Maura hung up the phone with a thoughtful frown on her face.  She set the phone on the table, then crossed to the window at the far end of her study.  Jane walked past the doorway, then backed up when she noticed Maura’s pensive gaze.  She admired the serene beauty silhouetted in the light, then stepped into the room and cleared her throat softly.

“Maur?  Babe, you all right?”  Maura didn’t turn or answer immediately, and Jane walked over to where she stood and put a hand on her shoulder.  “Hey,” she greeted quietly when Maura spun in her arms.  “Is everything okay?  You looked a little preoccupied.  Headache?”

Maura smiled slightly and leaned her forehead on Jane’s shoulder for a brief moment before pulling back and gazing into her brown eyes, searching.  Jane simply held on and let her look, knowing Maura drew strength from her in ways she couldn’t always comprehend.  In a moment, she nodded in satisfaction and took Jane’s hand in hers, leading them to the couch that was their compromise in this room.  It was long enough for Jane’s length if she stretched out and comfortable enough to sleep on, but it was built to reflect Maura’s more delicate tastes.  As they sat, they both sighed - Jane in contentment and Maura in frustration as much as anything else.  Jane brought their joined hands to her lips and brushed a kiss over the knuckles, smiling when she felt the return squeeze.  Then she waited for Maura to speak.

“I just got a call from my friend Lauren... Dr. Lewis.”

Jane nodded.  “The one you served in ‘Doctors Without Borders’ with, right?  In Tarzania?

Maura smiled weakly.  “Tanzania?  No - we were in the Congo.  And a little into Rwanda as well.”  Her smile fell.  “It was a terribly difficult time, in an exceedingly troubled area, during a very demanding period in their history.”  She swallowed and looked away, letting her gaze focus on something beyond the window.  Her voice dropped to a whisper.  “I was hurt - I should have died.  But Lauren....” She dropped her head, letting her eyes study the carpet as she shook her head.  Then she turned and met Jane’s eyes, tightening her grip at the sight of her tears.  “It’s all right, Jane.  I’m here... I’m still here.  Lauren refused to let me die.  It was a fight,” she chuckled, “but she won.  We both did.”

Jane blinked her eyes, turning her head away toward the door and pinching her lips in an effort to keep from keening the agony she’d felt cut into her soul at Maura’s matter-of-fact words.  She sat still for a long moment, trying desperately to breathe.  Finally, she turned back to Maura and lifted her free hand to her face, letting her thumb caress the soft skin and delicate bones of Maura’s face.  “I’m glad she did.  I’m glad you both did.”

Maura smiled and covered Jane’s hand.  “Me too.  I wouldn’t have missed this for anything.”

Jane blushed and cleared her throat, anxious to change the subject.  “Okay, so what’s bothering you about that phone call, because I know she upset you.  Do I need to go kick her ass or something?

Maura chuckled again, but she couldn’t hide the blush or the warmth that Jane’s words created throughout her body.  “No... no, Jane.  Nothing like that.  Besides, I don’t think her girlfriend would let you do that.”

Jane snorted.  “I’d like to see her try and stop me if she’s hurt you.”  She smiled when Maura moved the hand on her face to her lips and kissed the palm reverently.

“I love you,” she said quietly.  “I don’t say it enough, but I do.”

“I know.  You tell me in all kinds of ways, Maur.  For the record, though, I love you too.”

Maura straightened, though the happiness didn’t leave her eyes.  “Lauren asked if she and her girlfriend Bo could come by and say hello.  They’re driving down to New York, and we’re only slightly out of the way.”

“And this is bothering you?”

“A little,” Maura replied honestly.  “I don’t mind them visiting - I’d love to see her again; it’s been years.  But we’re not really on the way from where they’re driving down from in Canada.  It makes me wonder if something else is going on.  Also....”  She trailed off.

Jane waited a moment, then lifted Maura’s chin until their eyes met.  “Also?”

Maura sighed.  “She mentioned looking for Xena and Gabrielle.”  She sighed again, knowing Jane wouldn’t understand the significance of her words without further explanation.  “Do you remember the story Gabrielle told a few nights ago... the one where the Headless Horseman showed up?” waiting for Jane to nod, though her frown made her confusion clear.  “When Lauren and I were in the Congo, she had her girlfriend there with her - not Bo... a woman named Nadia.  There were some things happening that defied science... magical, otherworldly things.”

“And you believed it?”

Maura nodded slowly.  “I saw it with my own eyes.  Despite what my mind told me, I know what my eyes saw.  It was real, Jane... as surely as you and I are.  Just like it was the other night.”  Jane nodded again but waited for Maura to continue.  “I am beginning to wonder if perhaps there is a tie-in... between the things Lauren showed me and the Headless Horseman we saw in New Orleans and Xena and Gabrielle.”

“You don’t think that’s a kinda big jump?”

“I hope it is, but I don’t think so.”


Chapter XVIII

Sam McPherson looked around as she stepped out of their SoHo apartment, before choosing a direction and hefting her backpack higher on her shoulder as she set out.  The place had been a little more than they had wanted to pay, but Mike had insisted on pitching in, so they were at least moderately comfortable and situated fairly well in Manhattan.  Brooke was less than a block from the train that took her uptown to work, and Sam had her choice of parks to walk to and work in when the weather was good.  One of her favorites was the City Hall park.  It was a nice walk without wearing her out, and she could sit and watch the activity at One Police Plaza and the courthouses.  It gave her some great people watching opportunities when she was in the mood to procrastinate and some incredible story ideas when she was feeling creative.

Today, she already had plenty of ideas to work from; it was simply a matter of choosing one to flesh out.

She reached the park only slightly winded and made a mental note to get back in the gym.  She and Brooke had both become more lax about it since their move to Manhattan, and she for one could feel it.  She was pretty sure Brooke could too, given her propensity for walking slower and slower as the day went on.  She would mention her need to Brooke - Sam knew she’d see right through the ploy, but she also knew Brooke would indulge her even as she teased her about getting old.  She’d already started, since Sam had found several gray hairs recently.  But Sam would let her as long as it made Brooke smile at her and kiss her in that way that still made her toes tingle.

She picked a bench that was facing Police Plaza and pulled out her laptop, sitting at an angle that allowed her to curl one leg slightly behind the other and tucked her foot under her knee.  She opened her computer and waited for it to boot up, then skimmed through her documents files before choosing a blank sheet and beginning from scratch.

Sam was so involved in her own writing that she startled in surprise when someone plopped down directly beside her.  She looked up to ream them a new one, then snorted when she met Andy’s bright, brown eyes.  “I should have known,” she snarked.  “There aren’t that many people in the City who know me well enough to do that, and most of them have regular full-time jobs.”

Andy pouted.  “I have a regular full-time job.  I’m on a break.”

Sam grinned.  “You’re on a break like me, or actually on a break?”

Andy swatted at Sam’s leg, but she couldn’t stop the grin that creased her lips.  “Actually on a break; although I did promise Miranda I would speak to you if I saw you before she did.”

Sam laughed.  “In what world wouldn’t you run into me first?”

“True... and she knew I was headed down this way anyway.  I’ve got an assignment at City Hall, and I need to go speak to Gabrielle about using her story and what happened in New Orleans as part of an article I’d like to freelance,” seeing Sam smirk briefly before her countenance sobered.  “What?  You don’t think it was real?”

“You know... I tend not to.  After all, I’m a writer, and I do know some tricks of the trade, especially after Gabrielle shared some of her methods and magic,” seeing Andy nod in understanding.  “On the other hand, I know what I saw.  And more than that, I know how it affected Brooke.  That, more than anything else, makes me believe it’s real.”  She shook her head.  “I dunno.”  She looked back at Andy.  “So, what does Miranda want, and why did she send you to talk to me?  You don’t work for her anymore.”

“No, but she knows we’re friends... that we went to school together.  And she and I are friends most days, so I volunteered to talk to you - it’s not like we have a lot of time to sit and catch up very often.”

“True, so what’s up?”

“Oh... Miranda wants to run a piece on the evolution of storytellers.”

Sam’s eyebrows rose into her hairline so quickly, she was afraid they might blend right in.  “And she wants me to be a part of this?” seeing Andy nod.  “Can I ask why?  I mean, c’mon, Andy,” gesturing to her ripped jeans and comfortable Northwestern hoodie.  “This is what I look like most days.  The only time I really dress up is if I’m going somewhere with Brooke.  I’m not someone who should be in Runway.”

Andy placed a calming hand on Sam’s arm and waited for her to take a deep breath and relax.  “Just talk to Miranda.  Call Sara - the new Emily - and set up an appointment.  She’s usually not wrong about these things.”

Sam took another deep breath, then accepted the card that Andy offered her.  “All right,” she agreed.  “I’ll let you know how it goes.”

“Good,” Andy said as she rose.  She glanced at her watch.  “I need to go.  I have an appointment across the street in a few, and I don’t want to be late.  Don’t forget to call her, and don’t let Sara put you off.  If she does, call Miranda’s private line - I put her number on the back.  Her instructions, I promise,” she added before Sam could object.  “We’ll talk again soon?”

“Yeah,” Sam agreed.  Then she waved before Andy walked away, turning back to her computer as she moved out of sight.

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

She had no more than put Miranda’s card in her wallet, when she saw Jo Polniaczek crossing to the park from Police Plaza.  Her head was down and her hands were thrust in her pockets; even from a distance, Sam could see the frown that marred her countenance.  She debated for all of ten seconds, before she called out.

“Detective Polniaczek?”

Jo’s head snapped up immediately, and she looked around for whoever was calling her name.  She spotted Sam sitting on the bench waving, and she smiled and lifted her hand in response as she made her way over.  She took the seat Sam motioned her to and turned to look at her friend as she leaned forward just slightly.  “Hey, Sam... everything okay?”

“Huh?  Oh... yeah, yeah.  I just saw you crossing, and you looked kinda upset.”

Jo glowered and shifted just enough to be facing away from Sam, leaving only her profile visible.  “That obvious, hmm?”

Sam shook her head, not sure what the right answer should be.  “Not really, no... especially not to someone who didn’t know you.  But I do... kinda, and I was a journalist once upon a time, so....”

Jo turned back to her.  “You were a journalist once upon a time?  Did something happen?  Is that why you’re out here near Police Plaza?  Is everything all right?”

Sam grinned nervously.  “Whoa!  Whoa!  Everything’s great, actually.  I’ve um... I’ve been offered a book deal - to write a few children’s and young adult books.”

“Oh... OH!  That’s great - congratulations!”

“Thanks,” she replied, blushing just a little bit.  “Can you share what is bothering you?  I promise I won’t tell, but you seemed kinda upset.”

Jo smiled and shook her head.  “Not upset... not really.  Apprehensive, maybe.  I uh....”  She rubbed her hands together and then down her pants’ legs.  “I put in my retirement papers today.  I know it’s the right thing to do - for me and for Blair, but I’ve been at the job a long time, and it’s a little scary, ya know?  Like I’m not really sure what I’m going to do with myself after this.  I’ve been in service in one capacity or another since I first went to Eastland.”  She sighed and looked down at her hands.  “Sorry... I shouldn’t be dumping all of this on you.”

Sam shook her head.  “You’re not - I asked... remember?”

“Yeah, but you probably didn’t expect me to get all long-winded about it either.”

“Maybe,” Sam shrugged, “but I’m kinda thrilled that you think enough of me to confide in me like that too.  There was a time, a lifetime and more ago, that I would have pushed until I’d dug out every last thought you had about it, regardless of what you really wanted to share.”

“What changed... aside from you growing up?” Sam swallowed hard and shook her head, releasing a shuddering breath and leaning into Jo when she felt the detective wrap a strong arm around her shoulders.  “Hey... hey - take a slow, deep breath.  Easy now... just breathe with me.  I’m sorry I asked; it doesn’t matter... really.  Just keep breathing.”  Jo kept up her litany of words until the color returned to Sam’s face and her breathing was even once more. “I’m sorry,” she apologized.  “I didn’t mean to upset you.”  Finally, Sam grabbed Jo’s hand, and she stopped speaking and waited.

“You’d think after so long, it wouldn’t hit me from around a blind corner like that.”  Sam squeezed Jo’s hand but didn’t release it, and Jo let her hold on.  Sam took another deep, shuddering breath.  “You asked what had changed.”  She met Jo’s eyes, and Jo was stunned by the look of abject misery reflected in Sam’s expression.  “Brooke nearly died - she actually coded twice - without knowing how I really felt about her.  I had spent so much time pushing her to keep her away, because I didn’t want to love her; I didn’t want to care.  I realized then that no matter what she did or didn’t feel for me, I wanted her friendship... I wanted her in my life, and I would never get to have that if I didn’t stop pushing her away at every single turn.”

Jo cleared her throat.  “I can see how that would change your entire outlook... if not your world.”  She looked around.  “For what it’s worth, I’m glad she lived... and that the two of you were able to find your happy ending.”

Sam smiled.  “Yeah... me too.”  She blinked and took a deep breath.  “However, we are pretty far afield of where we started.  Maybe you should sit down and make a list of all things you’ve put off because you haven’t had time for them; places you’ve always wanted to see; experiences you’ve always wanted to share with Blair.  I imagine you’ll find plenty of ways to live life unexpectedly.  And that’s without even taking into consideration all the ‘honey-dos’ and volunteer work Blair will certainly have waiting for you to do.”

Jo squeezed the hand she still held, and Sam pulled away... embarrassed.  Jo reached over and took her hand again, holding it gently between both of hers.  “Never be ashamed of caring... or of letting someone care for you.  As for your list making idea, well... I’ve never been much for making lists.  But I have a feeling you’re on the right track.  Maybe I’ll try that when I get home,” she said, releasing Sam’s hand.

Sam smirked.  “Make sure Blair’s not around.  Otherwise, you might not get a chance to finish it before she’s taken it over.”  She chuckled at the look on Jo’s face.  “I have one who is very similar to her, remember?  Brooke would do the same to me if I’d let her.”

“Good point,” Jo replied as she rose.  “Thanks for the conversation, Sam.  And good luck with the writing.  I may just have to pick up a copy when you get published.”

Sam blushed.  “Maybe at the next convention.  Don’t be a stranger, Detective.  It’s nice to see a friendly face in the City.”

“As long as you remember my name is Jo.  You have my contact information.  Give me a call and we’ll set something up.  We’ll see about getting you and Brooke uptown for dinner.”  Her phone rang and she frowned, before slipping the device from her pocket.  “I need to take this, but it was good talking to you.”  She lifted a hand in farewell and turned, walking away briskly before Sam could respond.  Sam watched her walk out of sight before she turned her attention back to her work.

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

Sam had just returned from getting herself another coffee, when she noticed Olivia Benson kissing Alex Cabot in front of the courthouse.  She chanced to wonder if perhaps they’d finally tied the knot, when they released one another’s hands before they went their separate ways.  Alex headed up the steps with purpose, and Olivia watched her go until she was inside.  Then she pulled out her phone and tapped something into it, looking around carefully and shaking her head with a bemused expression before turning and walking out of sight.

Sam shook her head, setting herself back to the task she planned to accomplish that day.  Before she could even get a proper sentence written, she heard her name being called, and she looked up to see Alex walking her way.  She wondered what on Earth was going on with the world that City Hall Park had suddenly become Grand Central Station for her.  She’d lived in Manhattan for years - had been coming to this park - without ever running into anyone she knew, and now suddenly, every single person she was friends with that lived in the City seemed to have business here.  She brushed her hair out of her face and beckoned Alex over.  It was more than a little weird, and something she’d have to share with Brooke later.  For now, she smiled up at Alex and invited her to join her.

“How’s it going, Ms Cabot?  Didn’t think you got out this way anymore.”

“First of all, Sam,” emphasizing her first name, “we’re both adults here.  I’m Alex, all right?”

Sam nodded.  “Got it.”

“Good.  Secondly, I had to come down and speak to Judges Donnelly and Petrovsky.  They’ve agreed to do some work for the charity foundation, and since they’re both getting ready to retire, I wanted to set up a time to sit down with them.  I get better results if I do that kind of thing in person.”

“That makes sense, actually.  People have a harder time putting you off if you’re standing there in front of them refusing to hear excuses or take no for an answer.  How’s that doing, by the way?  The Foundation, I mean.  I know that Brooke is involved, and I contribute regularly, but I try to stay out of the business side of it unless Brooke tells me she needs my help with something.”

Alex turned to face Sam and tilted her head.  “May I ask why?  You aren’t more involved, I mean?”

“This is your project… and Ms Novak’s, and to some degree, even Ms Warner’s and Brooke’s.  And while I wholeheartedly believe in your cause and support it financially, I already had a couple of charities I’ve participated with and supported since I was a kid in school.  I really don’t have any more time to commit right now... much as I’d like to.”  She shrugged.  “If I do well with my new project, I’ll have more free time, and that would allow me to be more a part.”

Alex covered Sam’s hand.  “Only if that is where you want to be, Sam.  You would certainly be welcome, but I wouldn’t want you to feel railroaded.”

Sam chuckled.  “I’ve never been known for doing anything I didn’t think was right.  My honesty has gotten me into more than one situation I probably should never have been in.  Trust me, Ms Ca... Alex.  If I am able to participate, it will be because I want to do so and nothing else.”

“Fair enough,” Alex agreed.  “So, what brings you to this park?  I know Frank’s fish tacos are fantastic, but that’s still quite a walk for you.”
 
“A little, maybe, but I like it here.  I can see so much in this park - I mean, it’s surrounded by lawyers and judges and cops - so if I’m having trouble writing, I can just watch the world go on around me for a little while, and soon, I’m bursting at the seams with ideas again.”  She shrugged.  “Besides, it’s a nice park, and nobody’s fish tacos are as good as Frank’s.”

Alex chuckled and she conceded the point.  “That’s true.  I sometimes miss being down this way on a regular basis, but it’s mostly because of the food trucks and not the work.  I like being able to see the positive results the Foundations produces.  It happens with a lot more regularity than being a prosecutor ever did.”

“That’s because you were too focused on a certain detective, Cabot,” a voice whispered in her ear, causing Alex to spin around, even as Sam covered her mouth to keep from laughing out loud.  “Whoa!  Whoa, Cabot!  Easy, girl!  You could do damage to a body!” Abbie laughed, backing up slightly and holding up her arms to protect herself.

“ABBIE!!  What the hell??” said with more than a hint of heat and annoyance in her voice.  She crossed her arms over her chest and frowned.  “What are you doing here?”

Abbie ignored the accusation and question she could clearly hear in Alex’s tone.  “Here in the City or here in the park?”  She held up her hands in surrender when Alex simply glared and raised an eyebrow in her direction.  “I’m in the City on business.  I’m here in the park because I saw you and Ms McPherson sitting here talking when I came out of City Hall.  I actually just came over to say hello and see if you wanted to get a bite of lunch.”

Alex turned to look Abbie fully in the face.  There was apology and trepidation and fear in her gaze, but mostly Alex saw sadness and regret. She chanced a glance in Sam’s direction, who was silently encouraging her to go with Abbie.  She offered Sam her hand, who accepted it without hesitation.  “Thank you, Sam.  I hope we have the chance to talk again soon.”

“Whenever you’d like to, Alex.  My schedule is a little more flexible these days.”  She released Alex’s hand and motioned them away.  “Enjoy your lunch, ladies.  I’ve still got a lot of writing to do before my day is over.”

Abbie clasped Sam’s shoulder briefly and squeezed as she walked by, though she never said a word.  She waited for Alex to choose a direction, more than a little surprised when Alex took her arm like she’d always done and started moving them in the direction of the street.  She knew Alex was upset, though aside from her initial outburst, she hadn’t really given a true indication of just how upset she really was.  Abbie blinked in surprise when Alex whistled and flagged down a cab, pulling her in behind her and giving what she knew to be Alex and Olivia’s home address.  She turned to Alex with a question in her eyes.

“We need to talk, and we need privacy for that.  There’s nowhere more private than my home.  Besides, you know I can cook, but if you’re in a real hurry, we can stop at the deli down the street and pick it up to take home.”

“Sounds good,” Abbie agreed quietly after a long moment of silent contemplation.  “I just need to call Lisa, my secretary, and let her know I’m taking a long lunch.  How long do you have and what time is Liv due home?”

Alex shook her head.  “I’m not sure, because she’s not working today.  She had some errands to run.  I’ll send her a text to let her know not to come home for a while if you don’t want to talk in front of her.  Otherwise, I am at your disposal until we get done.  I don’t have anything pressing to do today.”

Abbie nodded slowly.  “Let’s stop at the deli, and I’ll pay for lunch.  It’s the least I can do to return your hospitality.”

“All right.”  She leaned forward and informed the driver of the change of plans, then she leaned back in the seat and waited for them to arrive.

Part 3