TESSA

"Ah, I, er, see that you are indeed awake, Iolaus," Marxus said through gritted teeth.

"Marxus, this is not what it seems….ok, well, maybe it is exactly what it seems. What does it look like to you?" Iolaus began babbling as he desperately searched for something to cover himself.

Tessa was hiding behind Iolaus trying to catch her breath. What she had just experienced was the most fantastic feeling she had ever had. She really wished her father would leave so she could again have Iolaus to herself. "Father, I can change Iolaus’ bandages today by myself."

"Tessa, the only reason I have not thrown you out of here so I can deal with Iolaus alone is because you, too, are naked. And I don’t want anymore scandal brought to you."

That incensed the young amazon. She climbed over Iolaus and stood before her father, who turned away out of modesty for his daughter's nudity. "How dare you treat me like a child! I am a young woman and I know exactly what I am doing."

As Tessa stood before her father, Iolaus found what was left of the ratty blanket he had been using and he handed it to her. While she stood where she was, the important parts of him were hidden from her father. Tessa took the blanket and wrapped it around herself. She then went to the table and picked up some clean linens and tossed them to an ever grateful Iolaus.

"Tessa, I need to speak with your father, would you please leave us?" Iolaus asked gently.

Tessa looked at Iolaus with wide eyes, "You too, you think I have done something wrong?"

"Tessa, no, but your father and I need to talk," Iolaus took Tessa into his arms, and kissed her lightly on the top of her head. He then reached down and gathered up her clothing. His clear blue eyes were still hungry for her; that she could see, so she dressed and left the men to talk.

"Marxus,"

"No, Iolaus there really is nothing you can say that will make this better." Marxus growled at Iolaus. He moved towards Iolaus, Iolaus stepped back. "Stop moving, I still have to change your bandages, you may think that you are better, but you are not."

Marxus started removing the dirty, stained bandages, this time with less care than the previous times. He silently worked until he had removed all of them. "How, does it feel to take a deep breath now?" he asked.

Iolaus took a deep breath and pain shot through his chest, but he did not say anything. But Marxus saw the quick change in his eyes, and started redoing the bandages.

"Marxus, we need to talk, please look at me. I didn’t mean for this to happen. These past few days, Tessa has been looking after me, she has stayed and talked to me, most of the time I was not able to talk back but she didn’t care. She is a wonderful girl, I can think of only one other that has moved my heart so." Iolaus was pleading with Marxus.

It was doing no good. Marxus felt that he had been betrayed by his children. He knew that he had no right to feel that way but it didn’t matter. "Maybe later I can speak with you about this Iolaus, but not now. Tessa is my child, the last child I was ever able to have. I know that she has grown up, that I’ve aged but seeing you enjoy what I can no longer, it just hurts too much. I know that you are an honorable man, I need time to sort this out.

Marxus left the shed, leaving Iolaus alone and deeply saddened by the possible loss of a friend. He didn’t have much strength, Ellia still wanted him dead and now Marxus was angry with him. Tessa, well Tessa wanted something from him too.

"I see Marxus has left," Tessa said as she came in the doorway carrying a large pail of water. She put the water on the stove and started the fire up strong again. "I think we both could use a bath, I know I could, I am all sticky and would really like to clean up." Tessa kept talking, even Iolaus could tell she was very nervous about what had happened between her father and her lover.

Iolaus walked over to her and buried his head in her long hair. It still smelled like flowers, he could not stop himself, he kissed the back of her neck. Tessa’s knees began to shake, as his kisses became more and more demanding. Iolaus slowly turned her around to face him, "Leave the water, we can do that later."

Iolaus covered Tessa’s mouth with his gently at first then harder. He was lost in Tessa, all he wanted was Tessa. His hungry mouth moved down her neck to her beckoning bosoms, he took one nipple into his mouth and toyed with it. With his arms he lifted Tessa and carried her to the bed. His ribs sent notice that they weren’t happy with his plan, but Iolaus ignored them, and concentrated on Tessa and fulfilling his desire.

Tessa was not sure what she was to do, but this felt so good that she didn’t want to stop Iolaus and ask what she should do so she began her own little experiments. First she ran her hands down his back and found his bum, it felt wonderful as she grasped it and pulled him closer to her. Her mouth wanted some attention so she shifted her position a little and started sucking on Iolaus’ earlobe. Iolaus gave a small moan. That was all that Tessa needed to continue, with her explorations.

Iolaus was hard and ready, he reached around for Tessa and found that she too was ready, he was pleased. "This time," Iolaus thought, "this time she will truly enjoy herself, and so will I."

Iolaus lay back on the bed he started moving Tessa towards him. "Wait, let me undress," she said.

"No need for that," Iolaus said as he removed his blanket exposing himself. Tessa let out a little gasp. Iolaus put his hands on her hips and guided her over his man-root. Tessa quickly realized what he wanted and slowly ever so slowly, she slide onto the upright member. Both parties were gasping for air, the sensation was one of complete fulfillment, or so Tessa thought. Once Tessa had Iolaus completely inside her he began rocking slowly, she matched his rhythm, leaning forward so he could play with her nipples and she could kiss his wonderful mouth. Iolaus pushed his tongue into her mouth darting and sucking matching his pelvic movements, Tessa was not able to hold back any longer she came, her whole body was exploding with delightful wonderful feelings. Tessa clutched at Iolaus as she collapsed onto him, he slowed his movement down and let her rest for a moment unsure of what exactly she wanted. One look in her eyes showed what he wanted to see, MORE. "Oh dear, maybe I have created a monster here," Iolaus giggled to himself. Slowly he began to move inside Tessa again, this time with more urgency than before, Iolaus wanted a release this time. It didn’t take long, Iolaus exploded inside Tessa and she again had the earth stop. They fell together on the slim bed and dozed in each other's arms.

The rest of the day was spent in much the same manner. Awaking and enjoying each other's company to fall back asleep in each other's arms. As the day grew dim, Iolaus awoke and realized several things at once, first he was HUNGRY, he hadn’t had breakfast, it had burned hours ago, and second if this was to continue he would need a larger bed. Iolaus got up went to the stove and pushed around some coals delighted to see some sparks and he got a fire started again. Then he took the pan with the now well-destroyed breakfast and did his best to clean it up. Iolaus saw that there was still water in the pail Tessa brought in for washing up earlier that day, so he started cleaning up. One of Ellia’s lash marks was still giving him problems and was still oozing blood. There was a knock on the door. Iolaus went to the door and opened it just a crack to see who was there.

"May I come in? I have brought you some dinner, I thought you might need some. I also have some ale." Marxus said to an amazed Iolaus.

"Sure, you may come in. May I help you with the food? I’m starving. Tessa is still sleeping, so we should be quiet. She is a wonderful girl, Marxus you should be proud of her." Iolaus said all the while the scent of food set his juices flowing.

The two men worked together to get the food to the table. Iolaus tore into the chicken and gulped down some ale. The smell of food awoke Tessa, she stretched and got up to see what foods were left for her to eat. Iolaus playfully tossed Tessa an apple, "that’s all you get since you burned my breakfast, woman!"

"Oh, Yeah!" Tessa replied as she walked over to Iolaus and tweaked his nipple, hard.

"Ouch, okay, okay, you can have what ever you want."

Marxus watched the lovers together. He saw that they truly cared for each other. This was not something he wanted to see. It would be better for both if this never happened because someone was going to get hurt. Both Iolaus and Tessa ate with great gusto, feeding each other bits of food, totally oblivious to Marxus sitting at the table with them. They had eyes only for each other.

"Tessa, I need to speak with you, outside." Marxus asked.

"You can tell me anything in front of Iolaus," Tessa replied.

"Tessa, please, we need to speak and we need to speak outside." Marxus insisted. Marxus stood and moved towards the door, motioning Tessa to follow.

"Go ahead, Tessa. It’s not like I can go anywhere, I’ll still be here when you get back." Iolaus growled, he was wishing to go outside to be free again.

Once outside Marxus guided Tessa far away from the shed to make sure Iolaus did not overhear. "Tessa, darling, your mother is not very pleased with your current, ah, activity. She would like to speak with you. However, I believe it to be a ploy to get you away from the shed long enough for her to storm it and kill Iolaus. But Ellia doesn’t worry me as much as the wound on Iolaus’ chest. It is still seeping blood. I fear he may need to have more help than even I can give him, strong as he is, an infection in a wound like that could take a severe toll and we aren’t sure what your mother has planned if you don’t go visit her tonight."

Tessa was shocked and horrified. "Father," she gently placed her hand on his face, "I thought you had turned against me, after this morning." Tears were streaming down her face. "How can mother be so cruel? No, I have no plans to leave Iolaus, tonight or any other night. And, yes I know of the wound, it worries me too. What can we do about it?"

"Iolaus is not a stupid man, he is a warrior and has fought in many battles, so he must be aware of the wound too. I suggest we go to him and see what we can do for it before it becomes a problem. And, Tessa, you are my darling, I will always love you. You must know that your mother will not let go of this situation. You disobeyed her very publicly and she will extract her punishment." Marxus warned his now trembling daughter.

They went back to the shed where out of boredom Iolaus was cleaning up the dinner mess, sort of. He was actually tossing bits of chicken bones into the pot on the stove. His aim was not all that great and the mess was considerable. He turned to see Marxus and Tessa walk into the shed together, looking glum. "Boy, those are just the type of faces I’d want to see if I were being held captive in a shed surrounded by people just waiting to kill me." Iolaus ruefully joked.

"Iolaus," Marxus started, "we are concerned about your wounds, one of them is not healing properly and soon we will have to smuggle you out and you will need to be in top notch shape."

Iolaus looked at Marxus with great admiration, he did not think he could have been so forgiving if the situations had been reversed. "Yes, I know which wound you are speaking about. It has not closed and is still seeping blood and now a little pus. It has fire around it too. Marxus you know what to do to fix it, don’t you?"

"Yes, Iolaus, I believe I do."

"Tessa, I want you to leave me now, I don’t want you here." Iolaus told her. Tessa just shook her head and her body position was one of staying put.

"Tessa, please, I really don’t want you here," Iolaus pleaded.

"Iolaus, I love you and I belong with you. I am not leaving. Father tell me what I need to do." Tessa was firm in her demands to stay and do whatever it took to heal Iolaus.

Marxus went to the stove and got the fire going strong. He moved to Iolaus and removed the bandages. The wound was not healing as it should. Marxus gently cleaned the wound. Iolaus grimaced and gritted his teeth, sweat began to appear on his brow. Tessa motioned to Iolaus to move to the bed, but he shook his head.

"No, Tessa this is best done here, the light is better, and sitting up will allow Marxus the best angle to fix the wound." Iolaus told the now very frightened girl as she realized what her father was about to do.

"I’m ready when you are, Iolaus," Marxus said.

"Tell me what you want me to do, Iolaus," Tessa said as she gently kissed him. Iolaus took the gentle kiss and made it a deep long passionate kiss.

"I just need to know that you are here and love me," Iolaus said to Tessa, " stand behind me and hold my shoulders. You may kiss me again when it’s over." He smiled at her. Tessa’s eyes were filled with fear. "Okay, Marxus, I’m ready." Iolaus took a couple of deep breaths and closed his eyes.

Marxus took the glowing red dagger out of the fire and walked towards Iolaus. He put the hot metal onto the open wound and pressed. The stench of burning flesh filled the room. Iolaus did not scream but Tessa did. The pain was tremendous but Iolaus never moved. When Marxus was sure that he had burned out all the poison he removed the dagger and began to re-bandage Iolaus. Iolaus was dripping wet, but still hadn’t moved.

"Father, what’s wrong with him?" Tessa shrilled. She was very close to panicking.

"Kiss Iolaus, Tessa, that is what he is waiting for. He is using an old Hunter’s Trick to avoid feeling most of this pain. His last words to you were, ‘Kiss me when it’s done’, he is waiting for your kiss to awaken."

Tessa kissed Iolaus who then responded with a loud scream of pain. He then looked at the wound and then at Marxus. "This looks good, you know your work." Iolaus then passed out. Tessa and Marxus re-wrapped the wound and carried Iolaus to the bed.

"He will be ok, Tessa, just keep doing what you are doing. I will bring in food for you tomorrow." Marxus kissed Tessa on the top of her nose, like he used to do when she was a little girl, it brought a smile to her face. Marxus then left for the night.

After what seemed like hours Iolaus began to stir again. His wound was very painful, but he knew that it would be getting better now, not worse, which was the direction it had been heading. He glanced around the room and saw Tessa curled up asleep on the floor at the foot of his bed, he nudged her with his foot. "Tessa, really, I have gotten over you burning my breakfast, come to bed!"

Tessa awoke with great joy, Iolaus was teasing her; he was going to be ok. She crawled into the bed from the foot. She had the look of lust in her eyes, Iolaus’ eyes matched hers. Tessa wondered aloud, "I wonder if Iolaus is able to take this healing plan I have?"

"Oh, so you have a healing plan for me eh? And just what might that be?" He asked.

Tessa didn’t answer she started rubbing his feet, and calves, slowly kissing, licking and sucking her way up to his lower torso. Iolaus was sighing in delight. Tessa found his limp organ and began to suck away on it, delicately at first, then as it hardened with greater force. Iolaus had moved beyond sighing, he was now moaning with delight. The pain his chest was causing had been replaced with something far superior. Tessa toyed with his member using her hands, her mouth and her hard nipples. As she took it into her mouth she used her hands to reach up and stroke his chest and nipples, rolling them with her fingers till they became hard.

"Tessa, please," Iolaus gasped. But Tessa was not going to listen to him this time. She continued with her complete attention focused on pleasuring Iolaus. Tessa carefully crawled up Iolaus and started kissing him about his eyes and face, avoiding his lips. Iolaus took her breast in his hand and played with her nipple. Tessa finally kissed Iolaus fully on the mouth, first licking each of his lips then slowly, ever so slowly, sucking them into her mouth and exploring his mouth with her tongue, she had learned a lot in just a few days. She stopped kissing Iolaus and moved back down his body taking care to avoid his new wound, when she got to his engorged organ she began to masturbate with it. She was ready, wet, and dearly wanting Iolaus inside her. Iolaus wanted to feel surrounded by her wetness again, to bring her to ecstasy again. She felt his hardness against her, then suddenly he was inside her again. It felt divine to both of them, as though they were alone in the universe, and built to complete each other. Tessa rode up and down Iolaus’ warm shaft, as Iolaus guided her hips against him. Tessa felt her orgasm start as if from far away, and each thrust confirmed it - brought it to heights she hadn’t felt before. It suddenly crashed within and around her as she tightened involuntarily around her lover’s phallus. Iolaus took untold pleasure is his extended orgasm - he would remember it the rest of his life.

Tessa, breathing heavily, remembered to collapse to one side of Iolaus, avoiding his wound. Even at that blind, passionate moment, she thought of him, and took care. Wrapped in the warmth of their bodies they slept.

The next few days, were days of joy for Iolaus. Marxus brought food, to them and stayed around at night and the two men became friends. Iolaus surprised Marxus one such evening. "Marxus, I have a serious question for you." Iolaus’ blue eyes sparkled, " I would be forever grateful if you would allow me the honor of marrying your daughter." Tessa gasped as the question was asked.

One look at his daughter's face and Marxus knew what his answer would have to be. "Iolaus, if this were a normal situation I would be thrilled to have you as a son in law, however, you will not be happy living here in the shed for the rest of your life. Ellia won’t allow you to stay, she will attack at some point. Tessa does love you as do I, but I can’t see you as a caged man for much longer. Your wounds have all but healed. I just wish I could say yes."

"Father!" Tessa cried out. "How can you be so cruel?"

"Marxus, you are correct, I am not happy living in this shed. I would like to take you and Tessa with me when we leave. You know the woods around here, as does Tessa, once we get back to the main road we can meet up with my friend and head for our new home. Marxus, you will be very welcome in our home." Iolaus spoke with the authority of a man with a plan.

"I just wish it would be so simple Iolaus," Marxus said sadly. "But you do have my permission to marry Tessa, if we get out of here alive."

Together the three of them made plans well into the night for their escape. They were going to leave in two nights when the moon was new, so there would be little light to allow the guards watching the shed to see them leave. Marxus had stashed plenty of hunting equipment, fishing hooks, spears, and arrows so they would be able to feed themselves once away from the camp.

Seeing that Iolaus had everything under control and was so self-confident Marxus began to hope that his nightmare was about to end. Marxus left the shed that night late, leaving Iolaus and Tessa helping each other undress, for what promised to be another long night of passionate lovemaking. Marxus smiled to himself, as he walked to his own cot. Attie stepped in front of him, stopping him in his tracks. "The Queen wants to speak with you!"

Attie grabbed Marxus by the arm and dragged him to Ellia’s house. Attie shoved Marxus into the front room, Ellia was sitting on her chair, staring into the fire. "So what is ‘Little man’ up too? I have seen lots of activity around the shed the past couple of days, not to mention the "noises" that have been reported."

"I have no idea what you are talking about," Marxus said with fear. He now knew that this was not going to end the way Iolaus and Tessa wanted it to.

"Talk to me Marxus, tell me what you know." Ellia demanded.

"NO! I won’t sorry but you will have to get your information from other sources." Marxus got up and began to leave.

"I can have you killed, Marxus." Ellia purred

"Yes, you can, but you will NEVER have the love of your daughter again, and that is something that I have and will never lose. Do what you want." Marxus left the room.

Ellia blanched and screamed for Attie. Together they made a horrible plan.

As the sun came up the next day, Iolaus looked into the sleeping face of his love, she was so beautiful he could not remember ever feeling this happy before in his life. He couldn’t wait to introduce her to Hercules. Iolaus leaned over and kissed Tessa on the nose then the lips, moving down slowly so she would not be startled he started kissing her breasts. Tessa moaned not wanting to yet be awakened but not wanting to miss this either; she was torn between sleep and wakefulness. Iolaus kept moving down her body with his hungry mouth, sucking , teasing with his tongue, nibbling. When he got to her pussy he surprised Tessa by teasing it with his tongue. She quickly moved so she was able to take all of him into her mouth. Each was given to extreme pleasure, not wanting to stop long enough to change positions. Tessa was able to get Iolaus to come first and she drank all the salty fluid down and continued to suck for more. Suddenly she was overcome with wave after wave of orgasm. This time they crashed on top of each other. Tessa began hungrily kissing Iolaus, surprised at how she tasted. Iolaus answered her kisses. Together they got up and started dressing. This was going to be one of the last days they spent trapped in the shed.

There was a knock on the door. "Come in Marxus, we are dressed," Iolaus shouted. The door swung open but Marxus was not the first person to walk in, Ellia was, followed by Attie, then Marxus.

"Hello, it’s been a while Little Man." Ellia taunted Iolaus.

Iolaus did not answer Ellia, he positioned himself between Tessa and Ellia, keeping his eyes on everyone. Marxus was not looking very happy.

"Well, little Tessa, you have gone against my wishes and spared this mans life. Now, you will have to make a choice. Listen carefully, for I will only say this once and I will CARRY out the orders MYSELF."

Tessa was trembling and Iolaus couldn’t believe the pure evil in Ellia’s eyes. This was what Marxus had been trying to tell him was going to happen but he had refused to believe anything could destroy his happiness.

"Tessa, I will let Marxus, your father live, on the condition that Iolaus leave this village now, today. If you say no, then I will kill them both." Ellia’s whole body shook with rage.

"I HATE YOU!!! I refuse to make such a decision." Tessa shouted at her mother.

"Then you made your choice," Ellia unsheathed her short sword and placed it under Marxus’ neck, a small trickle of blood appeared.

"NO, wait. I can’t allow this! She will kill him, Tessa, she won’t stop this time. I can’t have Marxus' death on my soul. What do I have to do to save Marxus."

"Leave now, today, Iolaus, that is all you have to do, to save your life and Marxus’." Ellia gloated.

"But, Iolaus, she wants you to leave today, without me." Tessa cried.

"Yes, I know, but Tessa," Iolaus leaned closer to Tessa and whispered in her ear, "if I get away then I can come back for you."

Tessa looked at Iolaus with questioning eyes, but how, she wondered. Iolaus did not want Ellia to think he would be coming back for Tessa.

"See, Tessa all you are is a piece of Ass for him, all he cares about is himself. At the first opportunity to leave you he takes it. All men are the same. He will forget you as soon as he hits the next town." Ellia’s wicked laugh rang through the shed.

"Yes, that might be true Ellia, but she was a damn fine piece of ass. Not a thing like her mother." Iolaus retorted. "And yes, you are right, I won’t miss her for long, a single good-looking guy like myself, I don’t spend many nights alone."

Tessa had tears in her eyes, she couldn’t believe Iolaus, her lover could be so cruel.

"Just as I thought, Attie take this piece of garbage out of our area. Send him on his way." Ellia ordered.

Attie and her band grabbed Iolaus and together they left the village compound. Iolaus never looked back. He couldn’t, he knew he would never be able to carry off the bluff if he saw the tears he knew were flowing down Tessa’s face. They walked all day, and into the night, at one point Attie placed a hood over Iolaus’ head and spun him around then led him off for another few miles. Eventually they reached the main road where Iolaus had last seen the mystery woman. The amazons left him. As soon as they had been gone for awhile Iolaus wept for his love, his Tessa. "I will come back for you my Love I will."

Back in her room at Ellia’s house Tessa heard Iolaus’ prayer. She smiled; she would have a surprise for him, when he came back to get her.

Marxus checked in on Tessa before he went to bed, "You going to be all right dear?"

"Yes, Father, I know I will, I believe in Iolaus’ love for me."