September 2000 Story Challenge: The challenge deals with the episode "Cast a Giant Shadow". The task was to write a missing scene from the episode, encompassing what happened between Iolaus' arrival at the village and the festival scene where he dances with Breanna
“You know, when the innkeeper said he was giving us his best room, I didn’t think he meant the honeymoon suite.” Iolaus peered over the edge of the large tub that he was soaking in as Hercules entered the room with his arms full of supplies.
“Are you complaining?” the demigod asked him absently.
“No, not at all.” Iolaus rested his head against the edge of the tub and sighed as the hot water of his bath soothed his aching muscles. After what he had just been through, he felt he could use a little pampering.
“He was just grateful to us. Breanna told me that last time the village was raided, his inn was destroyed. What they didn’t steal, they ruined out of spite.”
“Who’s Breanna?” Iolaus popped up again with a great deal of interest.
“Don’t worry, you’ll meet her later. I for one am just glad to have a dry room with a soft bed for once.”
“Yeah, but the honeymoon suite? People will start talking.” The hunter grinned wickedly at his friend, who merely rolled his eyes.
“Why don’t you quit with the wisecracks and get out of there. You’re starting to look like a prune.”
“I like it in here,” Iolaus replied, his mood immediately sobering. He hunched further down in the water to prove his point.
“Quit stalling and get out here.” Hercules was using his most god-like tone, so the hunter knew there was no arguing. He took his time though, and muttered a great deal under his breath. The demigod tossed his partner a towel, and resisted the urge to help him as Iolaus awkwardly knotted it around his waist. Help was something the fiercely independent hunter did not accept graciously, and Hercules knew from past experience that it would be easier to let him do it himself.
“Go ahead, do your worst,” Iolaus said grimly as he slumped into a chair and gingerly rested his broken arm on the table. With utmost care, Hercules took the slender limb into his large hands and quickly set the shattered bones and wrapped it tightly. The hunter was pale and shaky after the procedure, but as Hercules expected, he refused to drink the tea the demigod offered despite assurances that it would help with the pain.
“Why don’t you get some sleep?” Hercules suggested gently, his trained eye picking up the exhaustion that Iolaus was desperately trying to mask. “The villagers are having a celebration later tonight, and I’m sure Breanna will want to dance with the hero once she sees how well you clean up.”
“I’m fine,” the hunter said, stifling a yawn. “But maybe I’ll just lie down for a few minutes.” As he crossed the room and stretched out on one of the beds, Hercules couldn’t help wincing slightly. Free of mud and in his current state of undress, the large purple bruise that was the result of a savage blow to the kidneys was painfully obvious.
“What’s wrong, Herc?” The demigod looked up in surprise. He thought Iolaus had fallen asleep, but the hunter was staring at him intently.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re hovering over me. Something’s bothering you.”
Hercules hedged for a moment. Now that he had some time to think about the day‘s events, something WAS distinctly bothering him.
“What you said before, when you first got to the village.”
“What did I say?” Iolaus was confused.
“When I asked you about your arm, and you said it was just a little torture.”
“Oh, that.” The hunter sat up uncomfortably, and wished he’d had the presence of mind to keep his mouth shut.
“Maceus wanted you to lead them to me, and you refused, didn’t you? That’s why they tortured you.” Iolaus didn’t answer, but his silence confirmed the demigod’s suspicions. “Iolaus, you can’t keep doing this. I can’t take it anymore. Every time you get hurt because of me, it tears me apart.”
“What was I supposed to do, Herc? Lead them to your door?”
“I handled them. They weren’t worth a broken arm.”
“I knew you could take them. But I also knew that they would try to use me to get to you. And if I told them where to find you, what kind of a warrior... What kind of a FRIEND would I be? Herc, I could never betray you like that.”
“I can’t do this anymore,” Hercules said insistently. “Sure, this time it worked out ok. But next time you could really be hurt. Or killed. And you know there will be a next time. I’m never going to be out of the line of fire, and sooner or later, you’re bound to be hit.”
“So what are you saying? We can’t travel together anymore? We can’t be friends anymore?”
“Iolaus, please, be reasonable.”
“No, you be reasonable and stop treating me like a child. Whatever I do with my life, I do it because it’s what I want to do. I’m an adult, and I can make my own decisions. I’m aware of the risks, but my life is by your side, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Besides, I’d like to see you try and get rid of me.”
“Think of all the peace and quiet I’d have.”
“Come on, Herc. You wouldn’t know what to do without me.”
“It wouldn’t be the same, that’s for sure,” Hercules admitted.
“I’m too tired to know if you’re joking or serious,” Iolaus told him, tossing a pillow at his friend. “Why don’t you just get out of here and let me get some sleep.” Hercules nodded and headed toward the door. He knew Iolaus was too stubborn to ever walk away from him, and deep down inside, the demigod knew he really would be lost without his partner.
“Iolaus, are you sure you’re alright?” The hunter lifted his good arm to wave dismissively at Hercules.
“Just be sure to tell Breanna to save me a dance.”
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