In the episode "Gladiator", Hercules is very stoic as Iolaus gets knocked around. The challenge was to write a missing scene detailing what happened between Iolaus getting beaten by Bellicus, and the next scene where he's tending to his injuries. As always, this isn't for profit and I mean no copyright wrongdoings.

Red hot fury welled up inside Hercules as he saw his friend sailing through the air to land on the floor of the cell. Trying to keep his anger in check, he turned to Bellicus and glared at him in hatred. True, he probably could have defeated the jailer and his guards easily, but that would be defeating their purpose. And he didn’t want to risk starting a brawl with Iolaus unconscious and defenseless. He would just have to bide his time and pick his fights wisely. With another look that was designed to make the jailer think twice before touching his partner again, Hercules was shoved roughly into the cell and the metal door was slammed in his face. As the guards dispersed, the demigod crouched beside his fallen friend.

“Iolaus? Can you hear me?” Hercules lifted the hunter’s head up slightly. “Come on, Iolaus. I know you’re in there.” The unconscious man groaned and opened his eyes. With the demigod’s help, he pulled himself to a sitting position and gingerly felt his swollen nose.

“I think it’s broken,” he grumbled. Hercules tore a small piece of cloth from his shirt and dipped it in the semi-clean bucket of water that sat in the corner of their cell.

“I’m sorry, Iolaus,” the demigod apologized, handing the damp cloth to his friend. “I know you didn’t want to do this, and I shouldn’t have dragged you into it.”

“It’s not your fault,” the hunter told him. “This isn’t exactly how I wanted to spend the afternoon, but I wouldn’t be here now if I really hadn’t wanted to come with you. You know I’d probably follow you down to Tartarus if you had to go there to rescue someone.”

“Like a loyal puppy,” Hercules grinned, but he quickly realized he’d said something wrong as he saw the hurt expression come over the hunter’s face.

“Is that what I am to you?” Iolaus asked softly, turning away. “Some stray dog always at your heels?”

“Of course not,” the demigod said quickly. “Iolaus, I didn’t mean it that way at all.”

“How did you mean it?”

“As a compliment?” Hercules saw that he was failing to reassure his friend. “Listen to me, Iolaus. I guess I don’t tell you often enough, but I don’t know what I would do without you. You’re the best friend I could ever ask for, and I need you with me more than you could ever know. You are my partner, my equal, and I have never thought of you as anything less.”

“Sorry,” the hunter said after a long pause. “I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

“Forget it,” Hercules told him, laying a hand on his shoulder.

“Well, now that we’re here, when can we get out?”

“Soon,” the demigod promised. “It’s not time yet. First we have to find Gladius and find out what’s really going on here, and then we can worry about getting out.”

Iolaus gently held the cloth to his nose once more and winced at the pain that shot through him.

“Are you sure there isn’t an easier way to find this guy?”

“I’m sorry, Iolaus. I promise you, we won’t stay any longer than we have to.”

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