Disclaimer - these characters are the property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures and no attempt is made to infringe the copyright thereof. We are just borrowing them and will give them back at the end of the story!

It was a small sound, but one his waiting companion welcomed. "Iolaus?" a familiar deep voice inquired hopefully.

Memories, vivid and terrifying flooded back, spurred on by the pain and the combined assault on his body urged him back into the welcoming arms of darkness.

"Iolaus," the voice again, with a hint of desperation now. "Come on buddy, come back to me."

Reclaimed from the brink of insensibility by the warm voice, he drew on his pitiful resources of energy and struggled to sort out the jumbled images in his head. Hercules voice was the last thing he remembered before the darkness claimed him. He had been in a cave, a hideous beast attacked and he had been only seconds from a fatal blow. Was he still in the cave? He forced aside the wall of pain and focussed on the voice.

"Iolaus, please, you have to fight."

He'd already fought and lost...almost.

"Please Iolaus, I need you. Open your eyes."

Hercules needed him. He opened his eyes and a multicoloured fog swam into view. He blinked slowly and forced his eyes to make sense of the blurred image, until the form of his best friend materialised.
Hercules' lips moved. "Welcome back," he was saying. "You had me really worried there for a while."

Yeah, his friend looked worried. No, it was more than that. He was scared. Iolaus wanted to reassure him but he felt so weak, and the pain, Gods it was bad. He had been hurt before, but even the searing agony of a dagger spearing his chest, his life-blood draining away, with every beat of his wounded heart, could not surpass this torture. He closed his eyes, seeking desperately the respite from torment, that the darkness would bring.

"Iolaus! Please stay with me," the voice begged, like a child afraid of the dark and pleading for a light to be left on.

Unable to ignore the anguish in his friend's voice, Iolaus forced his stubborn eyelids to obey him. Blue, pain filled orbs regarded Hercules, whose own eyes glittered with the brightness of tears. The hunter swallowed painfully and struggled to make his dry throat form the words he wanted his partner to hear. "''Kay, Herc," he whispered weakly.

A tear spilled from the demigod's brimming eyes and he scrubbed it away roughly with the back of a powerful hand. He turned away briefly and retrieved a metal cup filled with steaming liquid, from beside the fire. "I know it hurts, Iolaus," he said softly, as he turned back. "But this will help, will you try and drink it?"
Iolaus wasn't sure if he could, but he was thirsty and Hercules wanted him to try so he nodded tiredly. A strong hand slid beneath his shoulders and lifted him gently. There was a split second of delay before his ravaged body screamed its protest and he sobbed in distress. The hand slid around his shoulders, his head settled against something warm and the movement ceased. He screwed his eyes tightly shut and gulped down rapid breaths of air, until the pain subsided to barely tolerable levels. Warm metal brushed against his mouth and his lips parted instinctively to receive the hot liquid. He swallowed as much as he could manage and then turned his head away with a feeble moan of defeat. With his cheek resting against the reassuring warmth of Hercules' shoulder, Iolaus relaxed and allowed himself to be soothed by his friend's steady heartbeat.

The demigod placed the half-empty cup down beside them and prepared to lower his wounded friend back onto the blankets.

The hunter reacted with an anguished moan. "No," he gasped, and struggled feebly to raise his hand to grip his friend's arm in protest. Iolaus whimpered in distress as the limb stubbornly refused to obey him and he closed his hand into a fist in frustration.

Hercules stilled instantly. "Okay, it's okay," he soothed and brushed his friend's damp hair away from his ashen face. Gently, he prised his partner's fingers apart and took the smaller hand into his own. The hunter's fingers coiled around the hand and his trembling body settled back against the demigod's broad chest with a shuddering sigh.

Resting his cheek against lank golden curls, Hercules spoke softly. "Rest now, my friend," he murmured as Iolaus slipped away and left him alone once more with his fears.

Hercules continued to hold his friend until he was certain of his complete insensibility. He sighed, unsure whether to be relieved or worried that the hunter was again unconscious, as he lowered him gently back to the bed of soft furs beside the fire. He wiped his moist eyes with his hand and struggled to clear his head. All he could do now was wait and worry. He tossed some more wood onto the fire and turned to check on his friend before lying down beside him on the furs.

The demigod closed his eyes and thought back to a few hours earlier when he had been strolling through the countryside and happily looking forward to a reunion with his best friend. It was the first time the two men had been apart since Iolaus had been restored to life after 'The Dahak Incident'. Iolaus had gone to visit his mother and Hercules had stopped to help a village rebuild after a fire.

The demigod had almost reached the village where they were to meet when he spotted a man running across the hillside, waving frantically and shouting his name. The man panted up to Hercules and delivered a garbled message about Iolaus going after a monster. Ignoring the stab of fear he experienced at this news, Hercules had dragged the rest of the details from the man, who was apparently on his way to the village to get help when he saw the demigod on the road. The man, who never gave his name as far as Hercules could remember, had told Iolaus about a horrible monster in a cave in the hills and he feared for the safety of the small village below. Iolaus had headed off to the cave, sending the man to get help and tell Hercules about the monster.

Hercules had been a little angry with his partner for going looking for a monster on his own, but as he sent the man on his way and set off into the hills he calmed a little. Iolaus had more sense than to try and fight a monster on his own unless he really had no choice. The demigod was sure his friend would wait for help to arrive.

The sun was beginning to sink below the horizon as Hercules paused at the entrance to the cave to make a torch and light it. The mouth of the cave was fairly small but it opened up into a slightly larger area with another narrow opening at the far side. This part of the cave had obviously been used by hunters, as there was a fire pit, furs and a selection of cooking utensils scattered on the dirt floor. He also spotted his friend's small pack and water skin and was about to yell his partner's name, when a scream echoed through the cave sending chills down his spine. "Iolaus?" he whispered fearfully. He dashed through the narrow opening into the rear part of the cave and skidded to a halt in horror at the sight before him. Iolaus was lying unmoving on the boulder strewn dirt floor and towering over him was a monstrous scorpion. The enormous thing turned slightly on its jointed legs and huge black eyes examined the new arrival briefly. Apparently not considering the demigod worthy of its attention the creature raised its stinger tipped tail to deliver another blow to its felled victim. "Noooo!" Hercules screamed and launched at the nearest of the monster's legs. The leg buckled and the lethal tail missed its target by a narrow margin enraging the creature and focusing its attention on Hercules. The demigod dodged as the tail swept through the air in search of the new target. He spotted the hunter's sword in the dirt and made a frantic dive for it as the monster prepared to attack. The tail darted through the air, Hercules twisted away from it and swung the sword around in an arc. The blade cleaved the tail cleanly and the stinger dropped into the dirt with a satisfying thud. Aware that the fight was far from over, Hercules continued to move and as the creature reared up on its back legs and turned around to face its attacker, he launched the sword at its head with all his semi-divine strength. The weapon plunged into a huge black eye and the demigod held his breath. The creature froze, then began to slump forwards into the dirt but before it hit the ground green flames ignited across its hard exoskeleton. Hercules recoiled from the unnatural flames, although they held no heat, and flung up an arm to cover his eyes as the monster's body was engulfed in their brightness. When the flames died, all that remained of the creature was the severed tail and a scattering of dark green ash.

Hercules blinked in the ensuing darkness and turned slowly towards the place where his best friend lay. With a heavy heart he walked the short distance and dropped to his knees at the blond man's side. The flickering torch lay nearby and in its dim light Hercules was able to see for the first time the extent of his partner's injuries. There was so much blood. His friend's torso was slick with it and there was a sticky pool forming in the dirt at his side. Hardly daring to believe that he might find Iolaus to be alive, the demigod reached out with a trembling hand to feel for a pulse at his friend's neck. Hercules released the breath he had been holding with a relieved sob. Iolaus was alive and if he was to remain that way Hercules needed to act quickly. He pulled aside his friend's ripped and blood-soaked vest and grimaced when he saw the punctures in the flesh beneath. There was a deep wound in the hunter's left shoulder and another in his left side. Both injuries were still oozing blood and when he examined them more carefully, Hercules noticed that there was a black substance coating the torn flesh around the wounds. Fearing the black stuff to be poisonous, the demigod ran to retrieve his friend's water skin and other supplies so that he could flush out the wounds with water. He emptied the water-skin over and into the wounds and then rushed towards the sound of running water at the rear of the cavern where he discovered a rock-pool fed from above by water, which was pouring through a narrow fissure in the wall. He refilled the water-skin and repeated the washing procedure until he was satisfied he had done all he could to cleanse the wounds of poison. Next he gently lifted his unconscious friend, carried him into the smaller area inside the cave's entrance and lowered him onto one of the scattered animal skins.

Hercules muttered, as he rummaged through his partner's pack for any supplies he could use to treat the wounds. "Don't you die on me again, Iolaus," he said as he pulled a cloth out of the bag. "Don't you dare." Hercules also found a clean shirt, some food and a small pouch of medicinal herbs in the bag, which had certainly been packed by his friend's mother. Watching Iolaus intently for any sign that he was returning to consciousness, the demigod began to tear the shirt into pieces to use as cloths and bandages.

The demigod worked swiftly, lighting a fire, and preparing herbal infusions for further cleansing the wounds and for the hunter to drink when he awoke. Then he bathed and dressed the wounds, worrying over the fact that they continued to bleed and the torn flesh was beginning to redden and swell. By the time Hercules had finished doing all he could think of to help his wounded friend, Iolaus still hadn't stirred. By now it was dark outside, there was no sign of help from the village and all the demigod could do was wait and worry.

Iolaus stifled a gasp as intense pain greeted his return to consciousness. He took a couple of steadying breaths and became aware of an unfamiliar weight on his chest. The hunter opened his eyes, blinking in the dim firelight and focussed on the muscular leather covered arm that lay protectively over him. Hercules lay beside him, snoring softly and Iolaus turned his head slightly to observe his sleeping companion. Even in slumber, lines of worry creased the demigod's face and Iolaus realised that the last few hours would have been tough on his friend.

The hunter lay silently while he assessed his own condition and rapidly concluded that he was in a pretty bad way. It wasn't any surprise to him that his shoulder hurt like Tartarus. The monster's stinger had hit him in the shoulder with enough force to lift him off the ground and hurl him across the cave. He had screamed and it had been the last sound he had been able to utter before he was overcome by a sudden paralysis. He had managed a feeble move to his right as the stinger plunged for the kill, but it had not been enough to avoid a second painful wound and hence the agony in his left side. The rest of his body ached intensely and he could barely move his head, fingers and toes. He had feeling in his limbs but he couldn't move them. The paralysis was wearing off, but slowly and he shivered slightly in the cooling air as the fire's warmth began to dwindle.

Relief flooded through the demigod when he opened his eyes and found another pair of blue eyes regarding him steadily. "Iolaus," he said with a tired smile. "How do you feel?"

"Lucky," the hunter replied, avoiding the question. "Thanks, Herc. That's another one I owe you."

Hercules sat up suddenly and turned away to rebuild the fire while Iolaus watched him with growing unease. The hunter had known the demigod for long enough to be able to decipher his body language with relative ease. "Are you mad at me Herc?" he asked finally when his friend failed to turn back and face him.

"Yes." Hercules snapped.

"Thought so," Iolaus answered with a tired sigh. "What I do this time?"

Now the demigod turned to face his friend, his eyes dark with anger and if the hunter could have recoiled he would have. "Where shall I start?" he asked. "What were you thinking, Iolaus!? What in the name of Zeus made you take on that thing alone? You knew help was on its way, why didn't you wait?"

Iolaus opened his mouth to protest but Hercules wasn't finished.

"We discussed this, Iolaus. You promised to be careful." The demigod rose and looked down at his shocked friend. "I thought I could trust you," he finished and stalked off to the rear of the cave, grabbing the torch on the way.

Iolaus stared after his friend in utter dismay. He didn't even try to call him back, not that it would have done any good. He would have to wait until his angry partner calmed down and then talk to him. "I don't have the strength for this Herc," he murmured and screwed his eyes shut as a wave of burning pain assaulted him. He sobbed in relief as the pain subsided a little and wished fervently that he could just curl into a ball and hug himself. Shivering despite the heat of the rebuilt fire the tortured hunter curled his hands into fists and waited anxiously for his friend to return.

Hercules regretted his angry outburst almost immediately but he strode stubbornly through into the larger cavern without looking back. He pushed his growing feelings of remorse aside and walked over to where the huge stinger still lay in the dirt and examined it closely. The black poison still coated the razor sharp tip and he dipped his fingers into its stickiness. Bringing his hand close to his face he sniffed and then sighed in frustration. He had no idea what the stuff was or what it might be doing to his friend but one thing was certain. The creature had been unnatural and almost certainly a pet of some deity or other. Hercules stood, wiping his hands on his pants and yelled, "Ares!"

"What!" the God of War snapped as he flashed into sight.

"What do you know about that?" Hercules asked and indicated the severed appendage.

Ares looked down with a disinterested air and regarded it for only a moment. "Nothing," he said with a bored yawn. "Is that all?"

"What about the poison?" his half brother urged.

Ares glanced behind Hercules as he answered. "Why do you want to know?" He asked with growing interest.

"Ares," the demigod growled.

"Where's your little playmate, Hercules? Fit and well is he?" the god taunted as he crouched to test the sticky poison with his fingers.

"Ares," the demigod said through clenched teeth, "Please."

The dark haired god raised his eyebrows. "Oooh. Must be serious if my dear half brother is willing to plead," he mocked.

"Is it lethal, Ares?" Hercules snapped and took a threatening step towards his brother.

Ares sighed sadly. "It paralyses, causes various unpleasant and painful complications but lethal? I'm afraid not," he said regretfully and vanished.

Hercules slowly released the breath he had been holding and attempted to sort out his muddled thoughts. Could he believe Ares? If the poison was lethal, then the vindictive god would have taken pleasure in telling his brother how painfully and slowly his best friend was going to die. The demigod wished he could be sure. What had Ares meant by complications? His friend's wounds were already painfully swollen but what else might he have to suffer? Where were the villagers? Why had the man he had met on the road thought that the monster was a threat to the village? A creature that big could never have squeezed through the narrow gap in the cavern wall. Hercules shook his head and turned to leave the cavern. It was time to apologise to Iolaus.

The hunter opened his eyes and regarded Hercules warily as the demigod settled onto the furs beside him.
Hercules observed his friend's pale and pain lined face with sympathy and his regret deepened when he realised that he had added to his distress. "I'm sorry, Iolaus," he said sincerely. "I was so scared I was going to lose you again," he added by way of an explanation for his actions.

"I know, Herc," Iolaus answered softly and then bit back a gasp of pain.

The demigod reached for his friend's hand and squeezed it while Iolaus fought for control. When the hunter relaxed a little Hercules released his hand, dampened a small square of cloth and began to tenderly wipe the perspiration from his partner's face. "I met this guy on the road," he began to explain to distract Iolaus from his pain. "He told me you had come after the monster. I was surprised at you, but I was so sure you would wait for help."

"Average height, mousey hair, scar on his right cheek?" Iolaus asked.

"Yes," Hercules nodded as he replied. "You saw him too?"

"Mmmm," the hunter answered and screwed his eyes shut for a moment. Hercules held his hand until he was able to continue. "He never mentioned a monster. Said his friend was missing and he had last seen him here in this cave." Iolaus paused again, gripping his friend's hand tightly.

"You don't have to explain any more, Iolaus," Hercules said softly.

"Want to," the hunter gasped.

"Later then," the demigod urged. "You need to rest now."

Iolaus nodded, giving in far too easily for Hercules' liking. "I'm thirsty, Herc," he murmured.

The demigod retrieved a cup of water and prepared to lift his friend's battered body so that he could drink from it. He hesitated though when he saw his wounded friend close his eyes and clench his fists in expectation of the pain that the movement would cause. Taking a deep breath, the demigod slipped his powerful arm under his friend's shoulders and lifted him as gently as he could. Iolaus gasped, despite his best efforts not to.

"I'm sorry, Iolaus," Hercules said unnecessarily.

The hunter nodded slightly and rested his head against his friend's shoulder, breathing heavily while he recovered. "Okay, Herc," he murmured quietly after a while and lifted his head slightly to receive the water.
Hercules pressed the cup against his friend's lips and Iolaus drank until it was empty. "More?" the demigod inquired.

Iolaus shook his head and shivered. "I'm cold," he whispered shakily.

The demigod pulled a blanket around his friend's shoulders and wrapped an arm around him. "Better?" he asked.

"Much," Iolaus said and shivered again.

Hercules sighed and closed his eyes. He was tired and Iolaus must be exhausted. Very slowly, the demigod sank back onto the furs, lowering the hunter with him. Iolaus moaned softly and snuggled against his friend's shoulder as the demigod settled on the makeshift bed. "Try and sleep, Iolaus," he encouraged gently and pushed his friend's damp hair away from his face. He frowned at the heat that was radiating from his partner's skin.

Iolaus opened his eyes. "Fever," he stated. "Feel terrible."

Hercules didn't know what else to do so he just held his friend and stroked his hair in an attempt to offer what comfort he could. Iolaus moaned again and grabbed a handful of the demigod's shirt, twisting it in his tight grip as he fought the pain. "Hang in there, buddy," Hercules soothed and prised the hunter's fingers from his shirt, taking the smaller hand into his own. "Is the pain getting worse?" he inquired anxiously.

Iolaus didn't answer but squeezed the demigod's hand firmly.

"Is there anything I can do?" Hercules asked, feeling helpless.

"Yeah," the hunter whispered and looked up into his friend's concerned face. "Stop worrying so much."

Hercules smiled slightly and squeezed his partner's hand. "Sure," he said as lightly as he could manage. "And I'll stop the sun from rising too."

"Don't," Iolaus muttered. "It'll be too c-cold."

He was shivering uncontrollably now and Hercules pulled the blanket tighter around him. "This is one fight you'll have to win on your own, my friend," he whispered and pulled Iolaus closer. "But I'll be right here."

It was one of the longest nights of the demigod's life. His friend's body was wracked with pain as the poison burned through his veins and his fever soared. Iolaus gradually regained movement in his arms and legs, but as the paralysis left his body it was replaced by cramping pains until he was writhing and sobbing in agony. All Hercules could do was hold him and bathe his fever flushed skin with cool water.

Iolaus fought with every fibre of his being not to cry out when the pain ripped through him. Why it was so important not to show his pain became a distant thought, but he knew it was for Hercules so he battled on. He hurt, he hurt so much. Hercules was speaking to him and he tried to focus on the words.

"Iolaus, you have to breathe, buddy. Iolaus, breathe!"

Iolaus hadn't realised he was holding his breath. He released the air in his lungs with a shuddering sob. "Hurts...Herc," he gasped.

"I know it does, buddy. Try yelling. It'll help and nobody is going to hear you," the demigod encouraged gently.

Iolaus stubbornly shook his head and curled up in the demigod's arms as another wave of agony swept over him.

"Iolaus, yell," Hercules urged again.

Iolaus panted in agony.

"Iolaus!" Hercules raised his voice and was ready to shake his friend in frustration.

The hunter was still writhing.

"IOLAUS!"

Iolaus yelled and yelled again and again while Hercules held him and rocked him until the pain subsided. Then the tortured hunter would press his face against his friend's shoulder and take deep shuddering breaths until the pain returned to torment him again. His yells became weaker as exhaustion claimed him and Hercules prayed to any benevolent deity that might be listening to allow his friend some respite from his agony. The hunter's cries became groans and then whimpers and finally, to the demigod's relief, Iolaus went limp in his arms. Hercules rocked his friend gently. "Thank the gods," he whispered and great sobs racked his huge frame as he finally gave in to his anguish. Iolaus' breathing was shallow but steady and his body still burned with fever. Hercules curled protectively around his friend, but feared to sleep lest his friend should waken and need him, but exhaustion overtook him and he slipped eventually into restless slumber.

Iolaus slept throughout the following day and it was early evening before he finally stirred. His whole body still ached terribly from the punishment it had taken and his wounds throbbed and burned, but the agonising cramps had stopped. Opening his eyes, the hunter realised he was alone and panic assaulted his confused mind as he remembered that Hercules had been angry with him. He struggled feebly to sit up but pain lanced through his ravaged body and he sank back with a tortured gasp.

"Iolaus!" a voice called.

It was Hercules and the hunter sobbed in relief.

"Lie still," the demigod urged.

"Thought you'd left," Iolaus whispered weakly and a tear escaped the corner of his eye.

Hercules frowned in consternation. "Iolaus, I would never leave you," he said gently and captured the tear from his partner's cheek with his fingers. The hunter was still a little feverish but Hercules was encouraged by the fact that his friend had regained consciousness. He helped Iolaus to drink a little water before he set about the task of changing the poultices and dressings on his wounds.

Iolaus tried to bear the procedure silently but he was too weak to put more than a token effort into bravery. The dressings had dried to the swollen flesh around his wounds and removing them was agonising. By the time the process was completed, Iolaus was sobbing in distress and Hercules paused for a while to hold the hunter's hand. "Take your time," the demigod said sympathetically. "Let me know when you're ready."
Iolaus wasn't sure he would ever be ready, but he took a few moments before he nodded to his friend to continue. Hercules applied fresh poultices and dressings to the inflamed wounds and not long after he had finished, Iolaus slipped back into an exhausted sleep.

When the hunter next awoke, the pains in his body had eased a little and Hercules was sleeping by his side. The fire had all but died and Iolaus rolled carefully onto his side snuggling closer to the demigod for warmth.
Hercules threw a protective arm over his friend and drew him closer. "G'back to sleep," he mumbled.
Iolaus settled his cheek contentedly against his partner's shoulder and did just that.

By morning the hunter's fever had finally broken and he slept through most of the day, waking occasionally and drinking a little water. That evening Hercules prepared some soup and encouraged Iolaus to eat it. The weary blond allowed the demigod to feed it to him and Hercules wasn't sure whether to be relieved because his friend had taken some nourishment or worried because he hadn't protested at being fed.
When he had eaten, Iolaus, who was sitting propped against a boulder close to the fire, shut his eyes and his head began to droop forwards. Hercules reached out and rested a large hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Iolaus," he said gently.

The hunter lifted his head and opened his eyes. "Sorry Herc, I'm afraid I'm not very good company right now," he said apologetically.

Hercules smiled fondly at his friend. "As long as you are still breathing, Iolaus, I don't care how much you sleep," he said with feeling.

Iolaus nodded wearily. "I'm sorry you had to go through this, Herc," he said and put a hand up to his throbbing shoulder. "But thanks for being here."

Hercules grinned. "Where else would I be?" he asked with a shrug. He regarded his pale friend solicitously. "How do you feel?" he inquired.

Iolaus smiled slightly. "How do I look?" he suggested.

"Errr...well," the demigod hesitated.

The hunter groaned. "That bad huh?" he said and grimaced, biting his lip. "I feel better than I did," he muttered.

"But it still hurts," Hercules prompted.

Iolaus just nodded.
"Rest then," Hercules encouraged.

Iolaus sighed. "I've done nothing but sleep for days," he said. "And I didn't finish telling you how I came face to face with that thing," he continued, indicating the cavern beyond their campfire.

"It can wait," the demigod replied

The hunter shook his head and recounted his story. "I came into the cave to look for signs of the missing man," he explained. "I walked into the cavern back there and I swear Herc, it was empty. I was about to leave when there was a blinding flash of light. I couldn't see a thing after that and I began to back towards the entrance. That was when I heard it." He paused for a moment and looked at his friend who was listening intently. "I never really saw it coming because my eyes were still recovering, but that was when it first struck me. In the shoulder." Iolaus closed his eyes and shuddered at the memory. "The poison paralysed me almost immediately," he continued quietly. "I couldn't get away." He took a shaky breath. "The rest you know," he finished tiredly.

Hercules moved his hand, which still rested on his friend's shoulder and slipped his arm around him. Iolaus rested his head gratefully on the larger man's shoulder and closed his eyes. "That man, whoever he was, never intended to bring help did he?" He mumbled.

"No," Hercules replied. "We were both set up. What I want to know is why."

His only answer was a soft snore from his sleeping friend.

Iolaus recovered slowly but steadily over the next few days and as his strength returned he became restless and impatient. His wounds were still painful, but the inflammation had gone down considerably and the intense aching in his limbs had lessened. He was heartily tired of being an invalid and while Hercules was out hunting he decided it was time to get back on his feet. He remembered that there was a waterfall nearby, with a pool at the bottom, and the thought of a refreshing cool bath had him determined to get there. Hercules had removed his clothing while he had been unconscious and feverish and he hadn't emerged from under the warm blankets since then. Wrapping a blanket around his waist, the hunter got as far as his knees before a voice rang through the cave.

"Iolaus!" Hercules snapped. "What do you think you're doing?"
"I'm going," Iolaus answered through gritted teeth as he struggled painfully to his feet. "To have a bath," he announced and regarded his friend defiantly.

Hercules frowned at him. "You're not strong enough, Iolaus. Maybe tomorrow," he suggested.

Iolaus scowled at him. "Herc, I know you have my best interests at heart, but you have been fussing over me like a mother hen for days now. I appreciate your concern, you know I do, but..." he waved his hand in a gesture of frustration. "I have to get out of this cave, feel the sun on my skin, I want a bath and frankly Herc," he sighed and kicked at a metal pot by his feet. "I'm sick of pissing in a pot."

Hercules held up his hands to placate his friend. "Okay," he agreed reluctantly. "But you're not strong enough to walk very far so I'm going to carry you," he said and moved purposefully towards his partner.
Iolaus took a step back instinctively and to his disgust his shaky legs gave way, and he would have slumped to the ground if Hercules hadn't caught him. The demigod supported the hunter until he got his legs back under him and then he moved away, allowing his friend to stand on his own.

Iolaus stood with one hand pressed against his wounded side, his eyes downcast and his other hand curled into a tight fist. "I just want to have a bath," he said in an unsteady voice. "Is that too much to ask?"

The demigod's heart went out to his friend and he returned to his side to place a comforting arm around his trembling shoulders. "No, Iolaus," he sniffed and wrinkled his nose. "Actually you could use a bath," he teased.

Iolaus glanced up gratefully at his friend and managed a tired smile. "Thanks," he said gratefully.

Hercules hugged him to his side briefly. "Okay, but I'm going with you," the demigod stated.

The hunter grinned. "You want to watch me bathe, Herc?" he asked coyly.

The demigod was lost for words for a moment, not because of the hunter's cheeky suggestion, but because he was overcome with joy to see a sparkle in his friend's eye again.

Iolaus frowned at him in sudden concern. "I was kidding, Herc," he said. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," the demigod said fondly and hugged Iolaus as tightly as he dared. "I'm sorry if I've been fussing too much," he blurted. "But I was worried."

The hunter pulled away and looked up into his friend's glistening blue eyes. "I know," he replied. "I don't think I could have got through this without you." He swallowed past a lump in his throat and fought back tears of his own. "But I'm going to be okay."

Hercules nodded and cleared his throat self-consciously. "Yeah," he said and smiled. "So how about that bath then?"

"I want to try and walk a little," Iolaus said determinedly. "But I could use a little support I guess," he admitted and slipped an arm around the demigod's waist.

"Any time, buddy," Hercules replied happily.

"And maybe you could scrub my back for me," the hunter suggested.

The demigod tried to scowl in response but failed miserably. "Don't push your luck, Iolaus," he laughed as they made their way out into the afternoon sunlight.

To the demigod's consternation, the hunter insisted on walking the entire way to the pool. By the time they had covered half the distance his knees were trembling so badly, it took all his concentration to keep his feet under him and he was certain he would have collapsed except for his friend's support. Hercules insisted that he rest awhile in the dappled shade of the trees at the edge of the pool and Iolaus didn't argue. While the hunter recovered, the demigod pounded some soap-root on a nearby rock and when he had finished he helped his friend to the edge of the pool.

"I can do this by myself," Iolaus reassured his friend and pulled away from the demigod.

Hercules let him go, handed him the soap-root, took the blanket his friend passed to him and hovered at the water's edge as his partner waded carefully into the pool. When he was waist deep in the cool water, the hunter began to lather the parts of his body that weren't swathed in bandages, but he was limited by the fact he could barely raise his left arm and twisting his body ignited burning pain in his injured side. The frustrated hunter decided to try washing his hair instead so he crouched to duck his head under the water, but when he stood again the world was spinning dizzily. Iolaus swayed and took deep breaths to clear his head. He had barely recovered when a hand fell lightly onto his shoulder and he jumped in surprise, whirling round and coming nose to chest with his naked partner who was standing right behind him.

Hercules' hand tightened on his swaying friend's shoulder. "Steady," he said gently.

"Gods, Herc," Iolaus said faintly and wished fervently that his knees would cease their trembling. "Don't creep up on me like that."

"I'm sorry, Iolaus," the demigod replied as he encouraged his friend to turn and face away from him again. "But I wasn't creeping, I was splashing and I called your name," he added as he began to lather the hunter's sun-tanned back.

"I didn't hear you," Iolaus murmured dejectedly.

"I guess you had other things on your mind," the demigod suggested and began massaging the soapy lather into his friend's damp hair. "Like staying on your feet maybe," he added quietly.

The hunter didn't reply and his shoulders drooped slightly as Hercules continued to wash his hair. The demigod's concern for his friend increased when he noticed that Iolaus was trembling whether from cold or exhaustion he couldn't be sure, but he was certain that his friend was close to collapsing. "Rinse now," he said and pressed down lightly on his partner's shoulder. Iolaus slipped under the water and this time he didn't get up again. His legs refused to raise him back out of the water and he lifted his right arm, flailing and spluttering in distress. Hercules grabbed his arm and then bent to scoop his bedraggled friend into his arms. Iolaus put up only a token resistance as he was transported to the edge of the pool and deposited carefully on the blanket. He sat and shivered miserably as Hercules wrapped the blanket around his trembling body and gently patted his damp skin dry. Then the demigod sat behind him and gently towelled the hunter's sodden hair with his own yellow shirt. "Better?" Hercules enquired when he had finished.

Iolaus sat with his head down and his shoulders hunched and didn't reply. Hercules frowned and moved to his friend's side. "Iolaus," he urged gently and draped a comforting arm around his trembling partner. "Hey, buddy," he tried again and gently lifted his friend's chin, turning his head slightly towards him.

The hunter's face was ashen and damp with tears and the demigod's heart twisted in his chest. He tried to turn his head away. "I'm fine, Herc," he mumbled.

"Then why are you crying?" Hercules inquired softly.

"I...I'm not sure," Iolaus whispered miserably.

Hercules pulled Iolaus gently towards him. "Come here," he urged. Iolaus hesitated for a moment, but then he melted into his best friend's embrace, accepting the offered comfort gratefully. Hercules held him, rocking him gently and rubbing his back while he cried. "Let it go," the demigod encouraged. "You've had a pretty tough time and I know how frustrated you are." He hugged his friend a little closer. "I'm sorry, Iolaus, but I don't know what else to do to help you," he said regretfully.

Iolaus sniffed and took a shaky breath before raising his tear-streaked face. "I couldn't have asked for more or for a better friend, Hercules," he said with feeling. "Thank you," he added sincerely and wrapped an arm around his friend's neck to return his embrace.

They remained locked together for a few more moments and then pulled apart slightly. Then Iolaus began to giggle softly. The sound was more than welcome to Hercules who began to smile as he regarded his friend fondly. "What?" the demigod asked unsure of the source of his friend's mirth.

Iolaus pulled himself together slightly and clutched at his injured side. "Have you any idea how this would look if anyone saw us Herc?" he said and grinned wickedly at his friend.

Hercules sobered rapidly as he took stock of their situation. Iolaus who was only half wrapped in a blanket, was almost sitting in the naked demigod's lap. "Ahem. Yeah," Hercules said and squirmed a little in embarrassment.

Iolaus chuckled again and wriggled slightly. "Are you going to get dressed before you carry me back to our bed, big guy?" he inquired cheekily.

Hercules barely resisted the urge to dump his friend in the dirt beside him. "Iolaus," he scolded but couldn't hide his own amusement. He carefully extricated himself from their embrace and began retrieving his clothes. Iolaus sat quietly, holding a hand to his painful side and waiting for his lift back to the cave.

Once they were back in their temporary home, Hercules set about the task of replacing sodden bandages and dressings. The shoulder wound was healing a lot better. The inflammation had reduced considerably and the flesh around the wound was cool to the touch. Iolaus only flinched slightly as the demigod tended to cleaning it and covering it with a fresh dressing. "It looks much better," he commented as he re-bandaged the hunter's shoulder.

Iolaus smiled wanly. "It doesn't hurt as much now either," he said. "But my side feels a little worse if anything," he added as he settled back wearily against a boulder when Hercules had finished tying the bandage.

"Let's take a look then," the demigod said and began to untie the damp bandage. By the time the dressing had been removed, Iolaus had turned a shade paler and was biting his bottom lip in pain. "You'd better lie down while I take a closer look at this," Hercules suggested and reached to bring the torch closer for more light. When Iolaus had settled on the furs, the demigod leaned over the wound and gently touched the swollen flesh around the ragged opening. Iolaus hissed in pain and screwed his eyes shut. Hercules sighed and sat back to consider what best to do about the wound, which was indeed getting worse rather than better. He had been worrying about it for a couple of days now as it had failed to close up and seemed to be festering. On a hunch, the demigod had gone back to re-examine the stinger and had been concerned to see that a small part of its razor sharp tip was missing. If the missing piece was lodged inside the wound then it was little wonder that it wasn't healing properly. The last thing Hercules had wanted to do was cause his friend more suffering by probing around inside the wound, but it couldn't be avoided any longer. Taking a deep breath, the demigod looked his partner in the eye and explained the situation.

Iolaus listened with growing unease but put a brave face on it. "Do what you think is best, Herc," he said. "I trust you."

Hercules leaned back over the hunter and as gently as he could, pulled the wound's swollen edges apart and peered as deep into it as he could see. Iolaus gasped in agony, clenched his fists and fought to hold still. The demigod removed his hand and sat back and Iolaus sighed in relief. "I can't see anything," the demigod said. "It must be deeper in the wound."

"Oh," was all Iolaus could think to say.

Hercules turned and placed the blade of a sharp knife into the heat of the fire. Iolaus swallowed nervously and asked, "What exactly are you going to do, Herc?"

The demigod squeezed his friend's arm reassuringly. "I'm not sure yet," he replied. "Turn onto your side," he requested.

Iolaus obeyed obediently and Hercules examined the hunter's back behind the wound. The stinger had sliced deep into the flesh of his side almost passing through him and his back was marked with a fading bruise. Hercules pressed the coloured area gently, drawing a gasp from Iolaus. The flesh beneath his fingers was slightly hot to the touch and he clamped his other hand on his friend's hip to hold him still as he pressed a little harder. Iolaus sobbed in pain and the demigod withdrew his hand. "I'm sorry buddy," he said quickly. He hadn't wanted to hurt his friend, but it had been worth it to discover that there was definitely, something, lodged deep within the wound. "I can feel it, Iolaus," he explained. "It's right back here."

"Oh great," the hunter groaned. "How are you going to get it if it's right back..." he hesitated. "Uh-oh," he said nervously.

"It's pretty close to the surface," the demigod said confidently.

"Right," Iolaus answered.

Hercules gave him a few moments and then squeezed his arm comfortingly. "It'll be quick, I promise," he said reassuringly and pulled the knife from the fire to allow it to cool.

Iolaus wiped perspiration from his face with his forearm and gathered his courage. A few moments later he felt the hot tip of the knife press against the flesh of his back, then an intense burning sensation as his flesh parted and a sharper pain that drew an involuntary gasp from him.

Blood welled from the incision and Hercules wiped it away gently before inserting the blade into the cut to probe deeper. Iolaus flinched and groaned. "Easy, buddy," Hercules soothed. He probed a little to the left and breathed a sigh of relief as he found what he was seeking. Iolaus was trembling with the effort of holding still and Hercules felt a brief moment of pride at his friend's courage. "Nearly there. Hold on," he encouraged as he wriggled the blade slightly to ease the shard from the stinger closer to the surface.

Iolaus sobbed but barely flinched. He buried his face in the crook of his arm and concentrated on taking deep steadying breaths. Pain lanced through his side, but it wouldn't do to move suddenly while his partner had a sharp blade buried in his back, so he held still determinedly.

Hercules pulled the edge of the incision away from the knife blade and peered into the wound. To his relief he could see the glistening black piece of stinger and it was almost close enough to reach now. He moved the blade again, Iolaus moaned, the black object slipped upwards, Hercules grabbed it firmly between his finger and thumb and pulled it, and the knife blade free. The demigod pressed a wad of cloth over the wound and gripped his partner's arm. "It's over, Iolaus. I'm finished," he said.

Iolaus took a shaky breath and nodded. "That hurt," he muttered weakly.

"I know," Hercules said sympathetically and as he rubbed the knotted muscles in his friend's shoulders to help him relax he realised that his own hands were shaking slightly.

Iolaus turned his head to look up at his friend and was concerned to see that the demigod looked a little green. "Are you okay, Herc?" he asked worriedly.

Hercules managed a slight smile. "Yeah I think so," he replied. "But I don't think I want to be a surgeon."
The demigod left Iolaus to recover for a short while and busied himself with trivial tasks such as putting more wood on the fire until his hands had stopped shaking. Then he bandaged his friend's wounds and encouraged him to sleep for a while until dinner. Iolaus dozed uneasily, unable to rest comfortably because of the deep throbbing pain in his side but he managed to eat a little of the food his friend had prepared.
The hunter still hadn't found peace in sleep by the time Hercules settled down beside him and he continued to fidget restlessly. Hercules propped himself up on one elbow and looked down at his friend. "Iolaus, what's wrong?" he asked.

Iolaus sighed. "I'm tired and I can't sleep," he grumbled irritably.

"Why?" Hercules probed.

"I don't know," the hunter snapped. "If I'm keeping you awake you can always go and sleep somewhere else." He closed his eyes and waited for his friend to leave. It was what he deserved, but after a few moments he was aware that the demigod hadn't moved. He opened one eye. "You still here?" he asked with a mixture of surprise and relief.

"Yep," the demigod said. "Won't get rid of me that easily so you may as well confess. You're in pain aren't you?"

Iolaus smiled slightly and sighed. "There's no fooling you is there?" he said resignedly.

Hercules shook his head and looked thoughtful. "Iolaus, there's something that Deineira used to do for me when I was restless or in pain and couldn't sleep. Would you like me to try it for you?" he suggested.

Iolaus blinked at him. "What sort of thing?" he asked uncertainly.

Hercules grinned. "Sit up and I'll show you," he encouraged.

The hunter trustingly sat up and turned his back on his friend as he was instructed. He tensed as he felt the demigod's hands on his shoulders. "This is supposed to help you relax, Iolaus," Hercules said gently. "So loosen up a little."

Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly, the hunter cleared his mind and concentrated on the strong hands that were gently kneading his tense muscles. Iolaus felt the tension begin to drain from his body, and within a short while he could feel his eyelids drooping as he relaxed under his friend's touch.

"Iolaus," a quiet voice was saying.

"Mmmm." He answered drowsily.

"Lie down and go to sleep now."

Iolaus obeyed, curling up contentedly against the warm body that settled by his side. The next thing he remembered was the smell of breakfast cooking.

Over the next few days, Iolaus recovered steadily, regaining his strength and he spent as much time as possible outside of the cave. As he became less dependent on the demigod he felt a strange sense of loss and grew more irritable day by day. One day, Hercules was gone for most of the morning and when he returned with a brace of rabbits for dinner, he found the hunter pacing back and forth outside the cave. "You took your time," Iolaus barked.

Hercules frowned at his partner and put his catch down on the ground. "What's eating you," he asked, not really in the mood for his friend's ill temper.

Iolaus hesitated, unsure of the source of his bad mood. "I don't know, Herc, I'm sorry," he replied and sank down on the grass dejectedly.

Hercules, who had been feeling a little less than amiable himself that morning, decided that it might be time to consider leaving the cave and heading for the village. Iolaus was healing well and could walk at least part of the distance now. "I think maybe it's time for a change of scenery," he suggested. "Perhaps we could pack up and head for the village tomorrow if you're up to it," he said and felt strangely sad at the thought of leaving.
The hunter's head shot up. "No!" he snapped. "Err...I mean I'm not ready," he couldn't explain why he found himself making excuses. He just knew that he wasn't ready to leave yet. He lowered his head and twisted his hands in his lap. "I'm not ready to face the world yet," he said quietly.

Hercules draped an arm around his friend's shoulders. "Okay, take your time, but I wish you would tell me what's bothering you. You've been such a grouch the last couple of days."

Iolaus leaned against his friend and his mood lifted slightly. "I don't know, Herc," he said and sighed. "If I figure it out I'll let you know."

The demigod hugged his friend briefly and then rose to his feet and disappeared into the cave with the rabbits to prepare them for cooking. Iolaus watched him go with a puzzled frown. He couldn't put his finger on what had changed. He was sure that his relationship with his best friend was different somehow and he felt...he wasn't sure how he felt and he flopped back onto the grass in frustration as the tension he had felt earlier returned to plague him.

A while later, he went back into the cave to talk to his friend in the futile hope that he might relax a little in the demigod's company. Hercules was nowhere to be seen, but the rabbits were cleaned and ready for cooking and his yellow shirt lay discarded nearby. Iolaus guessed that his partner had gone into the cavern to clean up, so he sat on the furs and tried some breathing exercises to relax. He was having no success at all and soon began to wish that Hercules would hurry up and return before he went crazy. Turning towards the rear of the cave, he was surprised to see the demigod leaning against he wall, with his arms folded across his bare chest, regarding him fondly.

"Would you like me to rub your shoulders?" Hercules asked knowingly.

Iolaus sighed gratefully. "Yes," he begged. "Please. I'm in knots here," he said and positioned himself so Hercules could kneel behind him. Strong fingers began to knead his aching muscles and the hunter allowed himself to drift on a sea of comforting sensations as the tension began to leave his body. Hands moved smoothly over his skin, a warm feeling spread through his body and then he felt the demigod press his face into his hair and softly kiss the top of his head. It was a small gesture of affection but the hunter almost drowned in the sweeping tidal wave of emotion that followed. His heart swelled in his chest until he thought it would burst, the lingering warmth in his body ignited into a burning desire that rushed through him and realisation hit him with such intensity it took his breath away.

"Herc?" he asked hoarsely.

"Hush," the demigod whispered into his hair and the hands began to move again over his skin, leaving a trail of molten fire where they touched. Lips brushed his neck and he trembled in expectation of their next contact. The hands slipped around to his chest brushing a nipple and ignited a rush of burning desire that swept straight to his groin. The lips moved along his shoulder and left a smouldering path of kisses between his shoulder blades and he trembled with growing need. Powerful hands drew him back against warm hard flesh, teasing fingers pulled and rubbed his nipples until he could hold his silence no longer. "Love me Hercules," he begged. "Please love me."

The demigod's breath tickled his ear and his teeth nipped at a fleshy lobe as he replied. "I couldn't love you any more, Iolaus," he whispered.

Iolaus gasped in wonder and turned to look into his friend's face. He was reassured by the love that burned from the demigod's eyes and confident now of what he needed, of what they both wanted, he pulled the demigod's face to his. Their lips met, just touching and for several heartbeats they remained thus, not moving but revelling in the new and exciting sensation. It was Hercules who moved first, pressing his lips ardently against his partner's mouth and pulling his smaller body against his own, moulding every contour of the man he loved to his heated flesh. Breathless with desire now, the hunter's lips parted and he moaned in pleasure as the demigod's tongue moved into the waiting heat of his mouth and entwined with his own questing tongue. They kissed with bruising intensity, their bodies moving rhythmically against each other, pressing and grinding until they finally moved apart, panting with need.

Hercules lifted Iolaus into his powerful arms and tenderly laid him on the furs. He lowered his head and kissed the hunter's swollen lips, pulling back slightly, their tongues sparring briefly before his lips moved on, settling in the dip of his friend's throat. Iolaus moaned and entwined his hands in the demigod's hair as the teasing lips travelled over his chest and latched onto a firm brown nipple. He moaned again as a moist tongue moved over the sensitised nub and when the demigod's teeth nibbled hard enough to hurt he gasped and arched his back. While he was still recovering from the intensity of the sensations his partner's mouth had assailed him with, he found nimble fingers were undoing his belts and moments later he lifted his hips as his leather pants slid away. He lay exposed, love glowing in his eyes and his lust throbbing between his legs, as Hercules paused for a moment to drink in the sight of him. Then the demigod groaned in need and began pulling at the remainder of his own clothing, eager to press his naked flesh against his partner's golden body and melt into him.

As Hercules lowered his body to cover him, Iolaus reached out to pull him down, gasping in ecstasy as each piece of him touched warm flesh and he almost came right then. Hercules rested most of his weight on his elbows so as not to crush the hunter and wary of his still bandaged wounds he began to move, rubbing and pressing his throbbing member against the hunter's thighs. Iolaus parted his legs slightly allowing the demigod's cock to push between them and Hercules moaned as the friction added to the growing heat in his groin. Hands snaked around the demigod's hips, grasping his buttocks, encouraging him and pulling him down harder and harder as he pumped his hips and his orgasm approached. Hercules threw his head back, cried his friend's name and his body tensed and jerked convulsively as his hot seed spurted between the hunter's legs.

As the demigod trembled in the last throes of his orgasm, Iolaus gently pushed at him and the demigod aware of what he needed, slid aside and allowed his hand to be guided to his partner's aching cock. Hercules touched him, and felt his friend's body quiver in response as he gently stroked along his length and rubbed his thumb over his weeping head. Iolaus closed his eyes and groaned thrusting his hips towards the teasing touch, needing more. The hand moved away and the hunter gasped in shock as a warm wetness engulfed his member from root to tip and he bucked his hips, into the willing mouth, his climax mounting. The demigod's mouth moved over him, swallowing him down and drawing back, his tongue constantly in motion until Iolaus groaned, grabbed the demigod's hair and pumped his hips convulsively. He yelled ecstatically and came down the demigod's throat, his body shuddering in the throes of an intense orgasm.

As Iolaus lay panting in the aftermath of their lovemaking, Hercules' mouth claimed his in a bruising kiss, sharing the taste of his own essence. When they finally drew apart, there was no need for words. Hercules wrapped his body protectively around the man he loved and would always love with body and soul and Iolaus curled up contentedly in the embrace of the man who had always owned his heart. They remained thus, until the heat of their ardour re-ignited and they moved again in the rhythm of love and desire.
The rabbits were forgotten until lunch the next day and the lovers didn't arrive in the nearby village until three weeks later.

The end (or just the beginning?).

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