TESSA

Iolaus was able to find the spot along the side of the road that Attie had left him. Hercules wasn’t sure that it was a good idea to head into the forest at night, given what he had picked up from others about the Amazons that lived there. Just because Iolaus had made it out alive once did not mean they would allow it again.

"Herc, we need to keep moving, we need to get to Tessa, come on, lets move." Iolaus was saying as he started down an almost non-existent path.

"Iolaus, it is late, we should make camp, have dinner, get a good nights sleep and head off to save Tessa in the morning."

Iolaus could see that he would not win this battle and even though he was feeling better, he knew that he would need Hercules’ help. So the two men made camp. Iolaus went out to see if he would be able to get any fresh meat for dinner, Hercules was gathering fresh berries and edible plants along with firewood. He had an overpowering feeling of evil, it made him very uncomfortable.

"Hey, Herc, look I got us a pheasant!" Iolaus was happily plucking the bird as Hercules reentered the camp.

"That’s great, did it die of fright or did you actually have to do something to kill it?" Hercules kidded Iolaus.

" ’Did it die of fright’……oh boy are you going to pay for that comment! I may just not let you have any of this wonderful dinner. Ha, that would serve you right." Iolaus answered.

The two men bantered back and forth for the rest of the night, but both were uneasy, both men were tense. Iolaus wanted to get to Tessa and Marxus as fast as he could and Hercules wanted to save Iolaus from what surely would be a trap for him in the amazon village.

When dawn broke, the next morning a mist clung to the ground. The air was damp and cool. Iolaus and Hercules gathered their belongings and started down the path, each wishing it was better marked. Each man lost in his own thoughts. They walked on for the day; nothing was looking familiar to Iolaus and he was beginning to panic.

As the men began to try to pick up the trail again a man came running up to them, "Hercules, are you Hercules?" He had been running for sometime and was out of breath.

"Yes, I am, what can I do for you?" Hercules answered.

"My, village, is being destroyed by a beast. We need your help, it has killed most of the livestock and some of our best hunters." The man continued. "One of those killed was my son, he was just a mere lad of 12, thought he could defeat the beast."

"I would like to help you but right now I have to help someone else." Hercules answered the man.

"But when, when can you get to us. One day, a week, after the beast has killed everyone?" The man was pleading with Hercules.

"Hercules," Iolaus said with sad eyes, and trembling voice, "this man needs your help now, go help him I can find Tessa by myself."

"No, Iolaus, I won’t let you do this on your own." Hercules was adamant.

Iolaus looked at the man and knew deep down in the pit of his stomach that the man needed help more than he did. That did not make Iolaus feel any better; his need to hold Tessa again was overwhelming. He could still feel Tessa in his soul and knew she was ok. "Hercules, we need to help this man. It is what we do. The sooner we start, the sooner we get to find Tessa." Deep in his heart he knew this was the right thing to do, but that didn’t keep the tears from welling up, or help ease the desperate longing he felt for Tessa.

So Hercules, Iolaus and the man headed off to rid the village of the beast, a fight that took longer than expected. Several other distractions kept them from heading back to the forest for many months.

As soon as they were able the men were back in the forest, this time there was no evidence of a path at all. Iolaus was nearly beside himself, Tessa was beginning to fade in his memories, and he was having a difficult time hearing her voice, seeing her smile. She was becoming as Anya had become, just a distant memory.

"Iolaus, stop, close your eyes," Hercules commanded. "Now look, feel, which way does your heart tell you to go?"

Iolaus pointed in the opposite direction that they had been heading. "But that can’t be right," he said.

"Iolaus, when you first got to my brother’s, you said that they had placed a hood over your head. Maybe that is why nothing looks familiar. I am willing to follow your heart and go this way. My friend, I trust your heart as much as I trust you." Hercules then patted Iolaus on the shoulder and headed off in the new direction.

Iolaus just looked on in wonder. He couldn’t believe how much that meant to him that Hercules trusted him. Iolaus followed and they continued on for the rest of that day and into the next week. Iolaus becoming more and more frustrated with the forest. Even Hercules was confused as to where exactly they were. And that was not a pleasant feeling for either of them.

"Iolaus why don’t you climb a tree, and see what you can see from above?" Hercules suggested.

"Oh, sure, Iolaus why don’t you sweat and hurt your hands climbing a prickly tree and then tell us which way to go?" Iolaus muttered.

Hearing Iolaus’ grumbling Hercules laughed and picked Iolaus up and tossed him high into the nearest tree. "There, I got you started do you think you can finish?"

"He can be so irritating at times." Iolaus mumbled as he climbed up the tree. He was still angry with himself and the situation when he spotted the village, or what was left of the village.

"Herc! Herc! I found the village!" Iolaus shouted as he came down the tree quickly. He picked up his gear and began to run toward the village.

"Iolaus, wait!" Hercules shouted, but Iolaus was already out of site. "Great."

Hercules followed Iolaus and quickly caught up with him.

"Iolaus, wait, don’t ……just run into the village" Hercules shouted as Iolaus did just that.

The village showed signs of a big battle, fire scarred buildings and funeral pyres, were still evident. No obvious signs of life were evident, no chickens, or other livestock. The battle was fairly recent, as the crops in the field were not yet overrun with weeds. Hercules and Iolaus split up each searching different parts of the village to find clues as to what happened to the women.

"Attie, was right! You did come back."

Iolaus jumped as he was confronted by an armed amazon. "Where’s Tessa? What have you done with Tessa and Marxus?" Iolaus shouted back at her.

"Ha, little man, as if I’d tell you anything, Attie left me here to make sure that you never found her again. Killing you will please me, I’ll even carry your useless head to Attie so she can use it as a planter." The evil amazon taunted Iolaus.

Hercules hearing the angry voices walked around the building to see Iolaus with sword drawn facing an similarly armed amazon. Hercules couldn’t see the amazon’s face as he was behind her.

"Stay back, I’ll take care of her." A very angry Iolaus shouted.

"Ah, so you brought a friend, little man, great. I will kill him too and then Attie will have 2 heads on her table." The amazon hissed.

"Olivia?" Hercules questioned.

Olivia snapped her head around to see who knew her name, while still keeping a close eye on Iolaus. "Hercules?"

"You know her?" Iolaus was dumbfounded. "She was one of the ones who helped strip me and beat me."

Hercules walked towards both of them, hands open to show he had no weapons. "Yes, Iolaus, I know Olivia. I knew her quite well. Olivia, this is my friend Iolaus."

"He is Iolaus?" Olivia was incredulous.

Iolaus now very familiar with this response, just rolled his eyes. He did not drop his sword or his guard. Iolaus and Olivia were waiting to see what Hercules was going to do next.

"Herc, she knows where Tessa is. We have to get that information." Iolaus exclaimed.

"I know nothing other than I am to kill you when you enter the village. If I did know I’d die before telling you," Olivia spat it out.

"Friends, we need to talk. Both of you need to rest. Iolaus go see if you can find some water and let me speak with Olivia. Don’t look at me that way Iolaus, just go find some water I will get the information that we need." Hercules sent an angry Iolaus off.

"Olivia may I approach you, or do you feel me to be a threat too?"

"Oh, I’m sorry," Olivia blushed and lowered her sword, "you are a threat but not in the same manner as Iolaus."

"Olivia, I can’t believe it has been almost 7 years since we last saw each other. Would you please tell me what happened to your mother and how did Ellia get control of this band of Amazons?" Hercules approached Olivia and touched her shoulder. She shivered with pleasure.

"Ellia murdered my mother, and forced me to live as they did. She told Tessa, her daughter, that she, Ellia, had been born the Queen of the Amazons. Tessa never had any outside contact with us so no one could tell her differently. Marxus was allowed near Tessa but only after witnessing several gruesome deaths that assured his silence." Olivia just looked at Hercules. "You know you are still the best looking man I have ever seen."

Now it was Hercules turn to blush. "Olivia, why do you hate Iolaus so?"

"I see you are still very shy and easily embarrassed." Olivia said with a smile. "Actually I don’t have feelings one way or another about Iolaus, but Attie said not to let him follow, that he would kill us. I need to protect my sisters."

Iolaus chose that moment to walk in. "See Herc, she won’t tell you anything she will die to protect her ‘sisters’." Iolaus sputtered in anger.

"Iolaus, please sit down and be quiet." Hercules then turned his attention back to Olivia. "Olivia, what happened here? There was a battle, please tell me what you can."

Olivia looked into Hercules’ big blue eyes and remembered back to the wonderful night they spent together, the many pleasures they shared, the complete ecstasy she had felt in his arms. "Hercules, because you are a friend I will tell you. Iolaus, this will be painful to hear. I will tell the story without stopping."

"About a month ago Ellia went into labor."

"What? She did what?" Iolaus stammered.

"She went into labor, Iolaus please don’t interrupt. I told you this would be difficult." Olivia gently reached over and touched Iolaus. "Ellia delivered a son, but she did not survive the birth. The boy was large and very healthy. A week later Tessa gave birth to a daughter. Iolaus, please, let me finish." Olivia stopped Iolaus from interrupting her again.

"Attie was devastated over the loss of her best friend, Ellia. Attie started to begin to stir things up, she wanted to be Queen of the Amazons. Of course most of the younger ones believed that Tessa was their leader. Tessa and Marxus were struggling to raise the newborns, and were not paying much attention to the growing problem. Then Attie made a power takeover of the camp. Quickly Amazons chose sides and a battle lasting days ensued. Attie and her band of followers were the victors if you could say anyone won this battle. Daughters fighting mothers, Aunts and nieces fighting, it was horrible. Tessa and Marxus seeing that they had the less experienced group left in the middle of the night. Attie figured that they would not be a problem for us, so she did not order them hunted down and killed, since they left as cowards. When I last saw Tessa she and the children were fine. Marxus had a wound but it was not a life-threatening wound. The band headed south but I do not know where they are now. That is the truth."

The impact of the news staggered both Iolaus and Hercules. If they had not gone to help those villagers they might have been able to stop the battle. Iolaus might have been here when his son and daughter were born. Iolaus rose and walked away from Hercules and Olivia.

Hercules watched his friend knowing that the news he had just heard was world shattering. In the past few minutes Iolaus had heard he was a father again. Tessa had run, in an effort to save the children, and no one knew where she had gone. Hercules looked at Olivia, he saw in her green eyes, the power and wonder that had been there before. "Can you help us? Iolaus has done nothing wrong here and he is being treated cruelly."

"Yes, I think I can help you. But not now. I will need Iolaus to be better able to concentrate on his love for Tessa. He will be the one that will get us there if we can get there at all." Olivia told Hercules.

Iolaus wandered about, he couldn’t begin to fully understand what he had just heard. Ellia dead, died in childbirth, Tessa with a baby girl, he wondered if his daughter was blond like the both of them and if she had green eyes like her mother or blue like his. What did his son look like? How was Marxus? Where were all these people now? Iolaus looked up to the sky and started to howl, a deep low body racking sound, one that broke Hercules’ heart as he heard it.

"How, can I help Iolaus, Olivia?" Hercules asked.

"I will go talk to him, I don’t know how much he has told you about his time here. It was not a pleasant visit for the most part. I hope I can give him the information that he so desperately needs to hear." Olivia patted Hercules on the shoulder as she walked out the doorway. "Why don’t you get a fire started, I have some food that we can eat and it is getting cooler at night - a fire would be welcome." Olivia then headed to Iolaus.

"Iolaus, may I have a word with you?" There was no answer from Iolaus so Olivia continued. "I thought you would like to know that Tessa knew that you were lying when you said that you considered her just a ‘piece of ass’, she knew you did it only to save her father. She is deeply in love with you. Possiva even said that while Tessa was in labor she was thinking of you, at times not kindly, but then that was the labor." That comment got a smile from Iolaus. "Iolaus, I have a gift, and I might be able to help you find Tessa but you have heard a lot today, and have feelings that you need to work through. In a day or so I will try to use your love for Tessa to find her. Please don’t give up hope." Olivia reached over and hugged Iolaus, who shrugged away. Olivia then turned away and left Iolaus to his thoughts.

Iolaus looked back at the building with the fire going and the smell of dinner. He didn’t have an appetite; he didn’t have any feeling at all. Iolaus just sat and stared off into space. He didn’t move, tears fell, he sobbed, his heart was broken, and this time he didn’t think it could be fixed.

"Let him be Hercules. Iolaus is strong, and I see that he will be ok, but we need to let him be. Only Iolaus will be able to tell us when he is ready. Here let me get you some dinner." Olivia went to the wall and pulled down some dishes, she scooped out some stew and gave a bowl to Hercules. She sat next to him.

Hercules looked at Olivia as she moved around the room, she had blossomed into a magnificent woman, she was no longer the charming girl, this Olivia was confident, and sure of herself. Having her sit next to him was causing a warming in his loins, a deep desire was building. This made Hercules uncomfortable. He didn’t allow those feelings. Hercules leaned over and moved the hair from Olivia’s face; the desire was now overwhelming. He moved towards her, taking her face in his hands and kissing her gently on the lips, Olivia made no effort to pull away.

Hercules pulled back, "I’m sorry, I don’t know what happened." Hercules started to stand but then realized that certain parts of him would be very evident if he stood, and that made him blush.

"Don’t apologize, I didn’t mind," Olivia said, "you may even continue, if you would like."

"But Iolaus, I can’t leave Iolaus alone," Hercules stammered.

"Don’t worry about Iolaus, he will be ok, I will take him a blanket. Why don’t you make us a bed over there in the corner?"

Olivia gathered a blanket and some food and took the stuff out to Iolaus. He didn’t even move. Olivia kissed his head and told him everything would be ok. She then went back to the building.

Hercules, had made a bed, he still wasn’t sure why, but he knew that he wanted Olivia again, the memories were flooding his mind. He had known Olivia before he met Deianeira. Olivia walked into the room, she was still wearing her armor. Hercules watched closely as she took the heavy leather breastplate off, revealing the now ample bosom of an adult woman.

Olivia saw that Hercules was watching her so she made a show out of getting the girdle and leggings off. Hercules was now very uncomfortable. He wanted to hold her again, he wanted to feel her warmth against his skin, and he wanted to taste Olivia again.

"Olivia, how may I help you? The bed is ready." Hercules said almost fearing that his voice would break into a squeak, his desire for Olivia was so strong.

Olivia just shook her head smiling, "I’m almost finished, how may I help you?" Hercules obvious discomfort was mildly amusing to her, here was one of the world's greatest heroes, and he was afraid of her. "Why don’t you just sit down. I can walk to the bed without an escort."

Hercules sat down on the bed and began to tug at his boots, soon he had them off. The simple task of undressing was helping him not think so much about Olivia, her scent filled the room he wanted to breath it forever. Hercules took off his vest and the undershirt and dropped them on top of the boots, he then started and stopped getting out of his pants. "This is silly, I’m a grown man and I should be able to do what I want." He scolded himself.

Olivia, seeing that Hercules was stuck in an internal argument went to the bed and climbed in. "Are you going to join me?"

Hercules seeing Olivia lit only by moonlight sighed, how could he have been so silly to walk away the first time. He removed his pants dropped them on top of the shirt and boots and slid into bed next to Olivia. He reached over to move her closer to him. His mouth searching for hers, when they met, it was the best feeling he had had in sometime. They kissed deeply, Hercules taking his time to explore Olivia’s mouth. Then he moved to her neck and earlobes. While he was busy with his mouth Olivia, her breathing coming much faster, was running her fingers through his hair and along his chest.

Olivia scrunched down and began to run her fingers over his scars.

Hercules shivered and stiffened. "What did I do? Did I do something wrong?" Olivia asked.

"No, you didn’t but, well my late wife used to touch my scars while we were, er , um," Hercules stammered.

Olivia took Herc’s face in her hands and kissed him. " The memories you have of that are good, keep them, I am sorry that I have made you remember something that is painful."

Hercules took Olivia into his arms and rolled over in bed so that she was now on top of him. He smiled at her and said, "Thank you for understanding." He then kissed her again and nestled his face in her long auburn hair. Olivia now in a position of power, slid down to his chest and began to toy with his nipples. She felt a firming mass between her legs, something that was going to require some attention soon. Something that was going to give both of them great pleasure for the rest of the night.

With her warm hands Olivia grasped the shaft and pulled it out from under her leg so it could grow to its full size without causing discomfort to either of them. Hercules couldn’t contain the shudder of delight when Olivia touched him on that most tender of parts. He was looking forward to showing Olivia a wonderful night and he needed some satisfaction himself, it had been a long time. Hercules knew that Olivia was the woman who could take care of his deep desires.

Hercules moved to one side allowing him better access to Olivia’s breasts, like a hungry child he started to suckle. Olivia gasped, the pain was quickly becoming a strong wonderful sexual pleasure. Her breathing was soon reduced to shallow panting. Hercules moved to the other breast and Olivia took hold of his fully engorged member and started a soft rubbing of the foreskin, tugging slowly back and forth so the head would be exposed to her other hand. It was now Hercules turn to quicken his breathing. Olivia pushed Hercules onto his back and slowly inserted his penis into her body. While sitting astride she used her muscles and pulled on his body. These muscles that are capable of pushing children out can also be trained to suck men in and hold them firmly where you want them. Hercules had forgotten that Olivia knew how to do this. He was lost in a world of complete rapture. Olivia seeing that peace fall over his face rolled him over so that he was on top and soon she was climbing over the valley of ecstasy with him. They both came at the same time, a rolling orgasm that was like the beach, wave after wave of wonderful feelings. Hercules was the first to be able to speak, "may I get you something?"

"No, I think I have everything right here in bed with me." Olivia answered smugly. She turned slightly and Hercules began to rub her back.

"If my memory serves me you do enjoy having your back rubbed," Hercules said.

"Well, there is nothing wrong with your memory of how I like to be treated in bed. I’m honored that after so many years you would remember." Olivia said blushing.

"Olivia, there is nothing about you that I could forget. I am now wondering why I left you in the first place." Hercules leaned over and kissed her in the middle of her back. He then straddled her and gave his full attention to her shoulders and upper back.

Olivia sighed with delight, she hadn’t had a man in ages. Ellia didn’t believe in sharing them. Her fellow amazon while they could give back massages there was just something missing. That something was beginning to come to attention again. Olivia could feel it growing against her back. It was a completely wonderful feeling. Olivia quickly turned over and took Hercules’ penis into her mouth, she could taste herself on the shaft. She started licking the now throbbing item. Hercules was no longer in a sitting position he had fallen to one side, the pleasure was too intense for him. Olivia continued licking and sucking, soon it was clean and ready for action again. The process of cleaning it and listening to Hercules moans and groans of delight had also gotten her ready for action. This time she wanted the longer version of what had occurred earlier. Hercules was thinking the same thing, slowly he moved her into position, and this time he took time entering her. Teasing her labia with his organ, placing it in then pulling it out. Soon Olivia was arching her back and clawing at Hercules to try and keep him in place and finish this job. Hercules finally gave in to the demands and deeply penetrated Olivia her moans of delight and pleasure filled the small room. Olivia’s orgasm was totally encompassing; Hercules was amazed at the strength of his orgasm. They fell asleep in each other's arms.

Dawn came and with it the chill and foggy mist of early fall. Iolaus was still sitting in the same spot Olivia had left him, the night before. The food was untouched and the blanket still folded.

Hercules stirred first, and slipped out of bed without awakening Olivia. He wanted to check on Iolaus, he was saddened to see that Iolaus had not moved. He also felt guilty that he had just spent a night of passion, while his best friend spent the night alone. Hercules stepped out of the building and walked over to Iolaus.

"Iolaus, do you want to talk?" he simply asked.

"Can she really help me?" Iolaus looked at Hercules, he seemed to be looking through Hercules. "Does she really have a gift and can she really help me?"

"Yes, she really has a gift and if she said she would help you Olivia is a woman of her word, she will help you."

Iolaus just nodded, "I will be in later for food, I still need to think some things through."

"Iolaus, we are not going after Attie." Hercules said with a firmness that shocked even him.

Iolaus’ head snapped around. "No, Hades will take care of Attie. I just can’t seem to hold a thought I have so many questions. Olivia said I needed to be able to think of only Tessa, when I can do that I will be in." Hercules headed back to the building, he stopped and picked the remaining flowers in the yard and picked up some firewood. He would make breakfast this morning and let Olivia sleep a little longer. He wished he could get back into bed, but knew that that would not be possible. Hercules wondered what lay ahead of them in the days to come.