TESSA

Hercules and Olivia gathered up the dropped belongings and followed the exuberant Iolaus into the Amazon camp. It was not a pretty sight. The women were hungry and the shelters were bare bones basics. A well-built man walked toward them, sword at the ready. Soon all the amazons were armed and had encircled Hercules and Olivia.

"Iolaus, would you please explain that we are friends?" Hercules called out to Iolaus.

Iolaus was involved with Tessa. Iolaus finally had Tessa where he wanted her, tightly in his grasp. They were kissing desperately, as if there would be no tomorrow. Iolaus had forgotten just how wonderful Tessa tasted, and her scent, the wonderful jasmine.

"Iolaus, please tell your friends that we are friends. Now, please!" Hercules was getting more insistent.

Iolaus looked around finally breaking away from Tessa’s mouth and grasp. "Marxus this is Hercules, my best friend. Olivia helped me find the camp; she is now a friend."

"Iolaus, Attie left Olivia at the camp to kill you. She is a spy. She will now take the information of where our camp is back to Attie and then we will be doomed," Marxus explained to Iolaus.

"No, you are wrong, Marxus. Yes, Attie did leave me behind to kill Iolaus. I would have carried out my task if it had not been for my dear friend, Hercules. I won’t be the cause of any further pain for you. I am here to offer my services as a trained Amazon to help you. Please. I have healing powers and I see that my services can be used here." Olivia was firm in her words and stature.

"Marxus, please, Olivia is the reason that I found you. Marxus, you spoke with Urna and asked her about Olivia’s special talents." Iolaus pleaded with Marxus.

Marxus looked at Iolaus and then at Olivia. Hercules was watching the scene unfold; he wasn’t sure which way Marxus was going to go, but he wasn’t going to let anything happen to Olivia, and he feared that Iolaus wouldn’t let anything happen to Marxus. He needed to do something now.

"Marxus, I am Hercules. And, for myself, I will not let anything happen to your camp, your daughter, or your grandchildren. Your grandchildren are the children of my best friend, and I will protect them as if they were my own. I will take full responsibility for Olivia."

Marxus looked around and realized that Hercules could take him and the small band. "Ok, Hercules, I will take you at your word, you need to understand that we must be careful."

Hercules reached out in a friendly gesture and grasped Marxus by the arm. Both men shared in a greeting. Olivia moved in amongst the women and small children and started to work with those who needed her help.

Darkness was falling fast on the little band and the chill was very evident in the air. Iolaus looked at Tessa his eyes were filling with tears. "I didn’t think I would ever see you again. When I finally found the village again and Olivia told me about what had happened, that I had children, that you were still alive. I was not ready to hear all that, all

I wanted to do was to hold you."

"Well, Iolaus, you are holding me and I don’t want you to ever let me go," Tessa said.

"May I see my children? Hercules, come see my kids!" Iolaus was almost bouncing. "Herc, this is Tessa, Tessa this is Hercules. Now you know each other. Where are my kids? Are they as cute as Olivia said they were?" Iolaus was so happy he was just babbling on and Tessa looked at him and smiled.

"Hi, Hercules, and yes Iolaus your children are beautiful." Tessa said with a smile and a sly giggle. She was in awe of Hercules. Most amazons had heard of Hercules as a man of honor. Tessa led them into the little lean-to shack that she shared with her father and the children.

The band followed Tessa. Iolaus was barely able to contain his excitement. Tessa walked up to the shared cradle and picked up Annaliss, she gurgled and smiled at her mother, Tessa handed her to her father. "Here, Iolaus, this is Annaliss, your daughter."

Tears flowed down Iolaus’s face as he held his daughter in his arms. He turned and smiled and showed Hercules and Olivia his daughter. Iolaus hugged her tight, taking in her sweet baby scent. He didn’t want to ever let her go. His eyes were closed as he remembered his first born, taken too soon from him. Tessa gently took Annaliss from Iolaus and handed the bulky Agieos to Iolaus. Agieos promptly vomited all over his father, causing all to laugh.

"Well I guess I know how he feels about me now!" Iolaus said as he wiped the sour milk off his chest and vest.

Tessa handed Iolaus a damp rag and said, "Don’t take it too seriously. He generally does that once a day….it was just time."

Olivia took Hercules by the hand and started to lead him out the door. Hercules didn’t want to go but she was very forceful and demanding without making a sound. Marxus seeing them leave and seeing the looks that were passing between Iolaus and Tessa followed them out. Tessa took Iolaus by the hand and gave him the first class tour of the hovel. Each had a child in their arms. When Tessa got to what was her bedroom, Iolaus stopped in the entryway, unsure of himself. Iolaus wanted to hold and take Tessa, more than anything else in the world. But with the children and Marxus there, he was fearful. Iolaus wasn’t even aware that Marxus and Hercules had left.

Tessa took the children and changed their diapers and put them back into the cradle. Iolaus looked around the dwelling. It made the rough shack at the encampment seem palatial. He was ashamed that his family was living like this. He had a lot of work to do. Tessa came up to him and Iolaus jumped when she touched his shoulder.

"Iolaus, it’s time for bed. The children will get me up later during the night." Tessa said. She took Iolaus by the hand and led him to the bed. Tessa had a strength and confidence that hadn’t been there before. Leading this band of women had changed her. Iolaus was about to see just how much.

"Tessa, are you sure? I really want to do this but are we rushing?" Iolaus asked, hoping that Tessa wanted him as much as he wanted her.

Tessa reached up and touched Iolaus’ face with her hand. She pulled him towards her and kissed him gently at first and then with a hunger that both felt. Tessa dropped her threadbare vestment, while pulling at Iolaus’ vest and pants. Iolaus’ need for Tessa caused him to be erect before his pants had reached his knees. Tessa was fumbling around trying to free Iolaus from his pants. She gave up. She tossed him on the bed and straddled him as soon as he hit the bed. Tessa leaned forward and kissed Iolaus while rocking on his erect shaft. The orgasm that came all too quickly was wonderful, and had them both lying in a heap on the bed. "Let's try that again, what do you say?" Tessa asked.

"What, wasn’t that good for you?" a puzzled Iolaus asked. He was horrified that he might not have been able to satisfy Tessa.

"No, silly, it was what I have been dreaming of, but, this next time I thought we might take our time and do some more exploring and enjoyment," Tessa said with a sly and knowing chuckle.

Iolaus leaned over and with his finger traced Tessa face and down her chest, taking time to trace each breast, never touching totally, just lightly tracing. He couldn’t believe how thin Tessa was, feeding the 2 children and having less than filling rations, had taken a toll on her. Tessa shivered with pleasure. She had waited and longed for this very moment, she had dreamed of this. Tessa moved and took Iolaus’ limp member into her mouth, savoring the taste of her own juices on it. The move startled Iolaus. He could feel himself firming to her gentle action, her mouth sucking, pulling, her breasts full of milk and firm. She was the most beautiful creature. Iolaus pulled Tessa towards him. He wanted her. "Tessa, I love you. I want to be with you forever." Those simple words had a powerful impact on both of them. Tessa pulled back, looked into those blue eyes, and then with renewed vigor started kissing Iolaus again.

Iolaus kissed Tessa’s face, neck and down her body, kissing here, nibbling there. He touched her breasts and was stopped by the fact they were full and harder than he expected. Tessa smiled and asked Iolaus, "Hungry? I have milk to share."

Iolaus smiled and reached for Tessa’s left breast and hungrily began to suckle. He was surprised at how sweet and tasty the milk was, he could now see why Agieos was such a large child. Tessa was enjoying having Iolaus suckle, she took his hand and guided it to between her legs. She wanted him to rub her nub, her love button, while suckling. She had had sexual fantasies of this happening while feeding her children, at first it had frightened her but now it was wonderful. Tessa took Iolaus’ firming member and guided him into her moist ready body. This time they both took their time and the pleasure was doubled by the love they shared.

When the act had been completed, they fell together in a joyous sweaty jumble and drifted off to sleep. Not long after, Annaliss chose to be hungry and Tessa struggled to get out of bed without waking her man. Iolaus, however awoke and got up with her, he had missed too much already to sleep through his first 2 am feeding. Agieos was stirring and Iolaus picked him up and tried to change his wet diaper. Iolaus was not quick enough to avoid the "waterfall" that young men tend to do when exposed to the night air. Even that common everyday experience was thrilling to Iolaus.

Soon Tessa had both children fed and back to bed. She looked over at Iolaus who had sat on the ground and watched as she nursed both children, with love and wonder in his eyes. He had never stopped looking at her. "Iolaus, lets go back to bed, it is cold here and you are not wearing much, I don’t want you to get sick. You are a terrible patient."

"Well, I just might want to get sick! As you make a wonderful nurse," he responded. Iolaus then coughed a few times as if to convince her he was sick. Tessa hit him on the back of the head playfully.

"Well, I guess I will have to sleep out here with the children, can’t risk getting sick myself." Tessa stated.

"Oh no you don’t, I need some loving and I need it now." Iolaus picked up Tessa and carried her to the bed. He proceeded to very carefully and thoroughly ravish her. Tessa loved each and every minute of it, she would have begged for more but she fell asleep. Iolaus had not felt this content in his whole life. He fell asleep with Tessa in his arms.

Marxus, Hercules and Olivia left the shack and headed for the main fire. Marxus got food for the two of them and they settled in for a get acquainted time. Marxus found a place for them to sleep and he headed off to bed down near Tessa’s. He wasn’t ready to let her go, not yet. He feared for Tessa and his grandchildren, he didn’t know why but deep down in the pit of his stomach he felt fear.

The next morning dawn arrived, with frost on the ground. Iolaus groaned as Ageios made his wants and desires known with a loud and angry cry, waking his sleeping sister. "Does he always get up this early?" a groggy Iolaus asked.

"Yes, darling, welcome to the world of infants." Tessa laughed as she got up and pulled on her pitifully inadequate clothing. She went into the room and started a fire going and then tended to the children.

Iolaus went out to take care of business, and ran into Hercules. Both men were happy and had "slept" well. "Herc, we need to do something. Tessa’s clothing isn’t enough to keep her warm for the winter. The house is cold, and she gets up during the night to feed the kids. We have to do something."

"Good morning, Iolaus, I hope you had a pleasant night’s sleep too." Hercules said with a large grin. "Yes, I know what you are talking about. Olivia and I slept outside on the ground, thank you very much."

"Herc, I’m sorry, I didn’t think. I, I," Iolaus stammered.

"Iolaus, it is quite all right. Olivia and I were fine. I think I know of a place within a few days walk that will provide a better place for these women and men to stay. It is quite protected and should be safe for them." Hercules explained. "But I will need your help convincing Marxus that moving will be a good idea. I don’t think he trusts me as he does you. He is a good man and he loves you like a son, you know."

Iolaus blushed, "I will help you with Marxus. What do you have in mind?"

"I would like to take a group to the place and check it out, to make sure it is ok and a safe place to be. I would like to take Marxus with me, but Olivia should stay here, she is needed. There are many here who need medical treatment and with the winter fast upon us it would be best if she could stay and help. But Marxus doesn’t trust her. So we will need your help in convincing him that she is not a threat."

"Okay, so when do we leave?" Iolaus asked, "Later today?" Iolaus was hoping that he would have another night with Tessa or at least another afternoon before he left to find a better place for his family.

"Iolaus, I don’t know how to tell you this, but you are not invited on this journey. You are needed here to protect the ones who stay behind and provide food. Winter is coming and they need someone with your hunting skills."

While Iolaus was pleased to be staying he didn’t like the way Hercules was telling him he had to stay behind. "Are you trying to keep me from knowing where the encampment is?" Iolaus asked point blank.

"Well, er, um, yes. Iolaus, Marxus and I had a long talk last night. He and I will go see if this place can take the band and then it will be up to you and Tessa as to what happens," Hercules said mysteriously.

Iolaus was now completely confused by what he had just heard. But it was apparent that he would be getting no more information from Hercules. The two men walked back into camp. The younger amazons handed Hercules a plate full of food for breakfast, clearly amount of food would have fed several of the women. Hercules turned it down, saying he had eaten while out in the forest. Iolaus knew that something had to be done, and soon.

Iolaus went into his new home and caught Tessa napping in the chair with Annaliss nursing away. He gently took the child from her and went outside to play with his daughter. Olivia came by and smiled at him. "You look happier than I have ever seen, Iolaus." She said.

"I am, Olivia, thank you for helping me find my family again," Iolaus said to her.

Marxus came by and Iolaus motioned him to stop and chat. "Marxus, Hercules would like you to join him as he goes in search to seek out a place to stay for the winter. Hercules has asked that I stay behind and start hunting and getting some fresh meat into the camp and some fur for coats. I won’t leave Tessa alone overnight or anything."

Marxus was shocked by what he was hearing. He didn’t like the idea of leaving Tessa with Olivia in the camp. Even if both Hercules and Iolaus trusted her, he didn’t, he couldn’t. She had been one of Ellia’s and Attie’s right-arm soldiers for too long.

"Yes, I know of this plan, and I would like to go. Iolaus," Marxus paused, he clearly was troubled by what his next words would be. "Iolaus, I don’t trust Olivia. I just don’t. I’ve known her a lot longer than you have and she is not the changed woman that you believe her to be."

Iolaus was stunned by the viciousness that was in Marxus’s voice as he said those words. "Marxus, I am staying here in camp and I do believe in Olivia. If Hercules believes in her then you should too. Hercules has a gift of seeing the goodness in people and bringing that out in them. Olivia will not be a threat to you or Tessa."

Marxus was not much happier but he knew that he couldn’t win this battle. Marxus also knew that if they didn’t find a better camp soon the losses from the weather would be dreadful, so he agreed to join Hercules and some of the amazons to go in search of this new place.

Iolaus went back into the dwelling and found Tessa feeding Ageios. "Do you ever do anything else?" He teased.

"Some days I don’t think so," Tessa laughed. "Now I see where my darling daughter has been. Showing her ‘Old Hunters’ Tricks’ have you?"

"No, my daughter will not learn how to hunt, she will learn how to read, sew, cook and take care of livestock." Iolaus said lightheartedly.

The look Tessa gave him was scathing. "What is the matter with a girl learning how to hunt, use a sword, to be able to take care of herself?" She demanded.

"Why on earth would she need to know that if all she is going to do is get married?" a puzzled Iolaus asked.

"What? What did you just say," Tessa stormed over and grabbed Annaliss from her father and turned away in anger. "Why don’t you go do something helpful, like hunting us some dinner, then … darling?" Tessa added the last word with great sarcasm.

A very puzzled Iolaus walked out of the room. "What did I do that was wrong?" He muttered to himself. Iolaus could see that Hercules and Marxus had left already and he started towards Olivia. "Olivia, would you go check on Tessa when you have time? I am going to take some men out and get some food."

"Well, Iolaus, that will be difficult as you are the only Man left in camp. However, there are plenty of Amazons that have hunting skills that if properly taught could become great hunters." Olivia told Iolaus.

Iolaus snorted, but in no time had a band together and they headed off to the forest. It took awhile and even though he didn’t want to admit it, the Amazons were very good at this and they didn’t need much help, just some guidance. Soon they were on the trail of a bear. They were able to kill it and as they brought it back to camp and started to clean and skin it, somehow Iolaus became soaked in the bear’s blood.

Tessa came out of the hovel she called home upon hearing Iolaus was back in camp. She felt bad for snapping at him, but he had just put down everything she believed in and her way of life. Finally she spied him, he was covered in blood and stumbling towards her. Tessa shrieked and fainted. Iolaus ran toward her, as did Olivia.

"Olivia, what happened? Why did she faint like that?" a very worried Iolaus asked.

"I don’t know. Iolaus, here, help me get her to the bed. Has she eaten anything today? Oh my, you are a mess. Why don’t you go clean up and I will tend to Tessa. Have someone start some bear steaks, Tessa could use some decent food."

Iolaus turned to leave, he looked at himself and realized just how messy he was, but Marxus’s words came back to haunt him. He was fearful of leaving Tessa and the children with Olivia. Olivia, sensing this, turned and said, "Iolaus, if I had plans to do something to Tessa I would have done it while you were out hunting. Not when you are back in camp. Go now and get cleaned up and don’t worry about it, I understand where your fear comes from."

Iolaus went and cleaned up a bit. He was still worried when he reentered his home. Tessa was coming too, she grasped at Olivia, "Iolaus, how badly hurt is Iolaus?" The fear in her eyes could be read from across the room.

"Tessa, I’m okay, there is nothing wrong with me. What ever made you think that I was not okay?" Iolaus asked in hushed tones as he sat by her side.

"The blood, when I saw you were covered with blood and stumbling around. I thought you had been terribly hurt." Tessa was crying now, the relief that Iolaus was okay was washing over her body.

Iolaus took her into his arms and held her close, "Tessa, it’s okay, we got a bear. I got a little messy showing how to clean it, then I stumbled over my own two feet. I’m fine, really. If it would make you feel better you could search my body for wounds."

Tessa stopped her crying and looked at him. "Check your body for wounds eh? That sounds like it could take some time."

Olivia upon hearing this conversation said, "Iolaus, I will go make sure the bear steaks get cooked properly and I will let you know when they are ready. Or would you like me to bring them to you?"

Iolaus grinning like a fool as Tessa started to remove his vest answered Olivia rather distractedly, "whatever."

Tessa slowly moved her fingers through Iolaus’ hair, checking for any wounds. Then she took time looking for wounds on his face. Slowly she kissed his forehead, each eyelid, his nose, then down to his mouth. The kiss was long and lingering one of deep passion and love. She moved on down checking out his neck making sure she left a little bite mark on his neck as proof she had been there too. Iolaus was enjoying this pampering, he tried to reach up to her to move her back for a kiss but Tessa still had plans for Iolaus. Next she moved her attention to his chest that wonderful muscular chest. Here she played close attention to his lower rib cage area where the scar from the savage beating was finally fading away. Tessa reached for and unfastened Iolaus’ pants and helped him out of them. She then searched his legs starting at his feet, she cleaned his feet with warm water and massaged his calves. Tessa knew that Iolaus was ready for her physically but she wanted him ready for her mentally too. So she continued this slow teasing torture of his body. Tessa worked her way up his thighs massaging here and kissing there, Iolaus was trying hard to stay focused on what lay ahead and not what Tessa was doing to his penis right now. Tessa had taken Iolaus’ penis in to her mouth and was cleaning it with her tongue. When she was satisfied it was clean, she moved on.

"Tessa, are you sure I can continue? Are you positive that I am not injured? If so, please may we continue this before one of the children want you more than I do? Which, Tessa could not be, no one could want you more than I do." Iolaus softly whispered into Tessa’s ear.

Tessa smiled and moved her body so that Iolaus could enter her. He did so, slowly teasing her with his penis, till he could bear it no longer himself, with a final thrust he was inside and they rolled and rocked on the bed, clawing the air, each other, the bedding till both of them reached their respective climaxes. Then they fell in an exhausted heap. Iolaus looking at his chest saw it covered with a white sticky liquid.

Tessa laughed, "It’s milk silly. It seems that you bring out the best in me."

Iolaus reached over and kissed her sweetly and with love. He had never felt so comfortable so at home in his life. "Tessa," he said as he broke the kiss off, "what did you mean when I left earlier about Annaliss?"

Tessa was taken aback, she knew they had to finish that conversation but did not really want to do it now, now when she felt so happy, so comfortable, so loved. "Iolaus, what do you want? What do you want of me?"

Iolaus looked confused, "Tessa, I want you to come stay with me. I want us all to live as a family. Isn’t that what you want?"

"Iolaus, these are my people. This is my life style. I don’t want to leave them. I can’t leave them, they don’t have anyone else to turn too." Tessa stated firmly. "I can not nor will I be just a wife, nor will I let my daughter grow up thinking there is nothing better out there for her. My half brother, your son, will not grow up thinking women are playthings and can be used, beaten and then thrown away, he will be brought up to respect women as equals."

This quiet firmness and determination in Tessa surprised Iolaus. He had not given any thought to the future other than he and Tessa and the kids would live happily ever after. It now didn’t seem that this was going to be that easy a goal. Iolaus could now see what Hercules was trying to shield him from earlier. This was what Marxus had really been worried about. Iolaus knew that both he and Tessa were strong willed and this was something that was going to require one to give up everything they believed in to continue to live together. Iolaus leaned over and kissed Tessa. "I don’t know, Tessa, I love you and that is all I know right now. I’m going to go see if Olivia has dinner ready and I will bring it back, we can continue the discussion while we eat, ok?"

Iolaus came back with dinner, more food than Tessa had seen in a long time. There was meat and vegetables and someone had even made a little sweet cake. Iolaus and Tessa ate quietly, while watching the children playing on the floor. The tension from earlier hung like a thick fog in the room. Iolaus joined his kids on the floor, Tessa watched from her chair until the sight of the three of them rolling and giggling got her to join in. It was a very happy evening for the whole camp. For the first time since Ellia’s death there was enough food for all, and there was hope.

The next day, Iolaus took the band of hunters out and showed how to read a trail, how to set snares and other hunter’s tricks that he had learned over the years. The band was lucky as they got 2 deer and several fish. Back at camp the few elders showed the young ones how to cut the meat so it would dry and last longer. Iolaus and Tessa avoided one another as much as possible, through out the day.

That night Iolaus went to Tessa’s and knocked on the door. Tessa was taken aback by this. "What are you doing knocking on the front door of your own house?" She asked.

"Is it, is this my house? Or is this the house of, Tessa leader of this band of Amazons?" There was no hate, no spite in his words just acceptance of what was true. "Tessa, I have spent the whole day helping, teaching people to hunt, showing how to tan skin. Skills that your women have, they just need more time to be really good. Everywhere I went I heard how wonderful a leader you are. And how great the fear is that you will be leaving your people."

Tessa looked into those wonderful blue eyes. They were what saved his life, she had seen such warmth and beauty in them that first day. She couldn't let her mother destroy the man who had those eyes. Now she saw that it was she, Tessa, who was going to destroy Iolaus. "Yes, this is Tessa, leader of the Amazon’s house, and while you are here it is also Iolaus’ house."

Iolaus swept Tessa into his arms and kissed her, tears falling from his eyes, "I love you and I want what is best for you. I won’t ask you to join me and live in my hometown. But I’m not sure I want to know where you and the children will be living. I’d worry every time I heard that something bad passed by." Iolaus continued kissing Tessa and they moved as one to the bedroom. The children were gracious enough to sleep through their normal afternoon feeding while their parents shared an intimate afternoon of love. Iolaus took Tessa by the hand and they got the bucket used for bathing the children filled with warm water. It wasn’t the tub in Ellia’s house but it was big enough for the two to get each other wet and soapy.

Iolaus loved washing Tessa’s long hair. She sighed with contentment while he washed then it was his turn. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had washed his hair. They quickly dried off and moved to the warmth of the bed. Tessa slid under the covers and pulled Iolaus in with her. He remembered back to a time long ago when he first met her and how shy she seemed. Now she was the aggressor in bed, something that took a little getting used to. Somehow he managed. Tessa rolled Iolaus over onto his stomach and straddled his waist, reaching up to his shoulders and massaging his muscles. She was very good at what she was doing and Iolaus turned over and pulled her down. He kissed her gently and then with growing passion and love. Soon the two lovers were locked in frantic lovemaking, each wanting this moment to last forever, and each knowing it couldn’t.

The next day around noon as Iolaus was giving another demonstration on how to properly make bow strings, Hercules and Marxus returned. The news was good. The camp Hercules remembered was still there and it had several sturdy homes and barns. They had left the woman at the camp so they could ready it for the rest of the band. The land was fertile around there and with some seeds crops could be grown.

Marxus looked at Iolaus with great worry. "Iolaus is everything ok?" Iolaus just shrugged and walked away. Hercules who was busy getting properly welcomed by Olivia watched the little drama unfold through very distracted eyes.

"Olivia, what is the matter with Iolaus? Why did he just walk away from Marxus?" Hercules asked after giving Olivia a long and sensuous kiss.

"After a kiss like that you ask about Iolaus?" She muttered. "Hercules, the reality of the situation has hit both Tessa and Iolaus. One of them has to give up everything to be with the other. My bet is that Iolaus will make the offer, but I don’t think he can give up his life with you. Not even for Tessa and his children."

Hercules shook his head, "I was hoping that it wouldn’t come to this, but I agree with you. Iolaus will offer and he may stay, for a while but it won’t last, he has too much adventure in him."

"Hercules, this is the time to be truthful. What are your feelings? You must face them, because Iolaus can read you and he will know if you are hiding something." Olivia chided him.

"Olivia, the truth is I’d miss Iolaus something terrible if he stayed with Tessa, but I would understand and I would support his decision." Hercules stated firmly. All the while he hoped it would sound like he meant it.

"I believe you," Olivia said. "Now go talk to Iolaus."

"Iolaus, stop, I want to talk." Hercules shouted at his friend. Iolaus stopped looked over his shoulder and yelled, "Not now, maybe later." And Iolaus disappeared into the forest.

"Great" Hercules muttered as he walked through the camp. He saw Tessa outside talking with her father, so he wandered over to them. "Hi, Tessa, how are things going?" Hercules asked.

"Is it true, is it true that you found a safe place for us to live?" Tessa asked with hope gleaming in her eyes.

Hercules saw in her the wondrous beginnings of a new life with new land and hope, all things that would not include Iolaus. "Yes, Tessa the encampment is safe and secure, with lots of room for all of you. And Iolaus, is he going to join you?" Hercules asked.

"No, Iolaus and I have discussed this. He will help us make the move and he will leave. He is would not be happy being a farmer and I can not leave my people. Hercules, you must know that this was not an easy choice for either of us to reach. I love him more than words can express but I can not and will not leave my people." Tessa was firm in her decision and Hercules could see that she was not going to change her mind, his only hope was to see if he could change Iolaus’ mind.

Hercules headed out following the path he has watched Iolaus take. It took awhile but he did find Iolaus standing at the river throwing rocks across. "So, you are going to leave her? After everything you made me do to help you find her, you are just going to walk away?" Hercules said harshly.

"What do you want me to do? I tried being a farmer; I went nuts after just a few years. I longed for the times you would come home or send word that you needed my help. I can’t stay in one place for long." Tears were falling from those blue eyes, Iolaus had been thinking of this for awhile it was evident.

"Iolaus, this time you will not be alone, you will have Tessa and the children. You will have a family with you. It will be different." Hercules tried to console.

"No, this time it will be a family but it will be Tessa’s. She is the leader. I am not needed for anything but ‘stud’ service." Iolaus laughed bitterly. "Ellia got her way in the end. I did provide the service and she has a new generation to carry on the way of life. Why does this have to hurt so much?" He walked off a bit and picked up another handful of rocks.

Hercules didn’t know what to say or do to help his friend. What Iolaus had said was true, Tessa was the one everyone would be looking to. It was after all an Amazon camp. He walked over to Iolaus and said, "Tessa said you were going to help them move. Are you? Do you want to know where they are?"

"Yes, I do want to know where they are in case they ever need me I will be able to get to them. No one can ever take the fact that Annaliss is my daughter and Ageios is my son."

Hercules nodded his head and tapped Iolaus on the shoulder. "I bet I can toss this rock across the river." Iolaus looked at him at first in anger and then with cunning.

"I bet I can toss this rock further than you." The two grown men tossed rocks till their arms hurt and they were sweaty. It was getting dark and they headed back to camp. They still had a lot of work to do and precious little time to do so.

Tessa watched as Iolaus came back into camp. She was fearful that Hercules had tried to convince Iolaus that she belonged with Iolaus and he should try to take her with them, instead of leaving her with her people. "Iolaus, are you okay?" She asked.

Iolaus sensing her tension and not really sure where it was coming from answered with a smile, "Yes, I was able to beat Hercules in the rock toss. I can beat him most times we do it. He just never learns."

"I never learn what?" Hercules hollered over.

Iolaus just giggled and walked into the shack and picked up the fussy Annaliss. "Tessa, Hercules wants me to stay with you. He thinks that I need to be with you. That I can farm and be happy. But I’m not sure that I can. I will help you move and will stay the winter. We shall see how much longer after that, okay?"

Tessa smiled, "Yes, Iolaus, stay the winter and we shall see what the spring brings."

The end……..