DISCLAIMER:
Don't own 'em; Want 'em; Will take better care of 'em then TIIC.

WARNING:
This story contains explicit descriptions of male/female, male/male, male/male/female, female/female and male/male/female/female sex (*takes deep breath*), and moderate bdsm.

This story follows One Way Ticket: Book One, Timeline and One Way Ticket: Book Two.

You can find more work by The Huntress and other authors at her site The Herculean Archives

Send feedback to HercsWench@aol.com

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One Way Ticket: Book Three
By The Huntress

CHAPTER ONE

It had taken one whole month but Karen finally got Hercules and Iolaus to leave Corinth. The furthest they had taken her was to Cresus and Misara, which were both one day walks from Corinth.

There was a call for help from the village of Iaxom, about a four day walk. There, a band of marauders had killed the village magistrate for hanging a comrade, and now they had taken over the town.

Karen was looking forward to this.

"Just as long as you remember....no picking fights...only fight in self-defense," Hercules had told her.

He had enough problems with Iolaus' temper and dealing with the two of them played havoc with his nerves. He was starting to feel that his travelling companions were two very unstable people.

Iolaus, even tho he had promised, still got riled up when any man spoke to Karen, and kept his temper but so long. (Usually, Herc noticed, for about ten seconds, before he threw a punch.)

Karen was just as bad with the ladies who came near Iolaus. Iolaus' reputation went far and wide, and Karen had spent the night in a jail in Misara for punching out a barmaid.

Now they were on their way to Iaxom, and Hercules was dreading the trip for one reason.

They would have to pass thru Cresus, and Karen's last visit there was a disaster. A woman there had kissed Iolaus in a tavern, and Karen broke her jaw.

Herc got her out of jail, but told her the next time she was going to stay locked up.

That's what happened in Misara.

They were on the second day of their journey when they were jumped by eight men shouting that they were going to take down Hercules.

Iolaus wondered why it took so long. He had expected this on the first day.

Karen finally showed her skill with a sword. She took out four of them, while Iolaus and Hercules watched. She didn't kill, only injured, Iolaus words in her head. "Killing changes you," he had said. "even if you kill in self-defense."

The men left standing picked up their falling comrades and took off.

"You did good," Herc told her.

"Yeah," Iolaus added, "You caused them great pain."

Karen giggled. Being with these two men was always an adventure.

The trip thru Cresus had gone well, but only because Hercules, afraid of what Karen might do, had locked her in the closet in the room. Which, in hindsight, was the smart thing to do. The woman she had hurt made another play for Iolaus.

They didn't tell her.

Now they were spending the night the outdoors, and they set up camp near a lake. Karen was going to take a turn at getting dinner. She opted for fish.

"How many fish do you guy's want?" she asked.

They looked at her funny.

"How about just one?" Iolaus said with a smirk.

They had seen what she could do to a kitchen, and with her skills, Iolaus figured she'd be the same catching food.

"Okay, smart guy, how many??" she said, glaring at Iolaus.

"Okay, one for each of us. Think you can manage that," said Iolaus grinning.

"Oh I think so."

And with that said she took off her boots and pants and waded into the water.

She dove under, and Iolaus said to Herc "We're gonna starve you know. She'll be lucky if she catches a cold."

'Smack!!' Iolaus felt something slap him in the face. He saw Karen grinning under the moonlight.

"There's yours," she shouted, and dove under again. She came out with three more fish.

As Hercules cooked, he asked her "How did you learn to do that?"

"My gran. She taught me all kinds of stuff. Like she knew I'd need to know it. Like sword fighting, and she made sure I learned hand-to-hand too."

"Hand-to-hand?" Iolaus asked.

"Yeah, you know, fist fighting and martial arts. She said that I needed to know that sort of stuff to survive. I guess she was right."

Iolaus began thinking. In all the months he had known Karen, he didn't know much of anything of her upbringing or her life before she arrived in Greece. He was unsure how to approach the subject. Iolaus was afraid she'd think him prying. She didn't talk about it much.

He had told Karen about his childhood, about Skouros, and his father's treatment of him, and of growing up with Hercules.

All he and Herc knew was that her grandmother had raised her, and taught her to live off the land. That was one of the reason's Iolaus loved her. The women he had known couldn't have survived the life he led, but Karen was very capable.

At a lot of things.

And now that they were finished with dinner, maybe they could try some of those things.

It was a hot night, and Karen assumed it was summertime. She had given up trying to keep a calendar a while back.

"I'm going for a swim. I'll be back," she said.

She hadn't put her pants back on from her dip earlier, and as she walked away she cast a backward glance at Iolaus, pulled her shirt off, and flung it behind her. It landed on his head.

Herc saw and nodded to him. "Well go on. You can do clean-up duty after breakfast."

Iolaus jumped up like a kid, smiled at Herc, leaned over, kissed him on the cheek, and said "Thanks, Mom." Hercules sneered at him and Iolaus followed Karen.

When Iolaus reached the lake, he looked around for Karen.

"Where are you?" he said with a grin. "You can't hide for long. The mighty hunter finds all."

He got no answer.

"Karen, come on out."

He still didn't get an answer and started to worry.

"BOO!!," came a voice behind him. He turned to see her laughing.

"You should see your face.....like I got swallowed up by the earth or something."

Iolaus was not smiling. Karen noticed this.

"Iolaus I was only kidding," she said with just a hint of smile.

Iolaus grabbed her arm and pulled her close, into a tight hug.

"Don't do that, okay? The thought of you vanishing again is not high on my list."

"I'm sorry Iolaus," she said. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"Yeah, well, just don't do it again," he said.

Before she could answer him, he pulled her into a kiss that sent her head spinning. When he finally took his lips off hers, she was breathless.

"Well," he said. "Are we going swimming or not?"

After cooling off, they sat under a tree, holding each other. Iolaus was sitting against the tree, Karen in between his legs, her head leaning back against his chest.

He started to nuzzle her neck, and she started to giggle.

"That tickles," she said, turning her head up to look at him.

His lips met hers, and he turned her so she was sitting in his lap, facing him.

His eyes met hers, with a look of love and lust mixed together, and he kissed her again, this time deeper.

She broke the kiss, catching her breath.

"Iolaus, what's the matter? You're kissing me like it's our last kiss."

"Look, before, when I called you and you didn't answer, I got kinda worried, y'know. The last time I couldn't find you, Ares had....."

She didn't let him finish, shutting him up with a kiss. When she finally let go, he was the one catching his breath.

She spoke to him in a whisper.

"Iolaus.....Ares is not.....going to take me again.....No one is......."

She punctuated each group of words with kisses to his face and moved down to his neck, then his chest, still whispering.

"I know that neither you......nor Hercules......would ever......let anything.....happen to me."

By the time Karen finished, she was kneeling in between his legs.

She took her hands and began a light massage of his inner thighs, while her mouth moved to the base of his (now) fully erect cock.

She looked up into his eyes and took one hand off his thigh, and wrapped it around his shaft, flicking her tongue out to lick the pre-cum off his slit. Holding it steady, she took her tongue and gently massaged the base, then slowly licked her way up, swirling it over the slit, and doing the same in reverse.

By the third time, Iolaus was leaning his head back against the tree, eyes closed, mouth slightly open, running his tongue over his lips, in ecstasy.

Karen felt his balls start to tighten, and knew he was going to spill. She gripped his cock tighter, and ran her tongue along his slit.

She was holding him with just enough pressure that he was on the threshold between pain and pleasure.

And he couldn't cum.

Not when she did this.

And she knew it.

Iolaus opened his eyes, and instinctively, hers met them.

He knew what she wanted.

He spoke, his voice begging, the tone that of a small boy, his eyes a mixture of innocence and lust and need.

"Let me cum. Please."

She answered him, her eyes showing the same lust, but her voice was firm and whispered.

She said one word.

"No."

Then she ran her tongue along his slit again.

Iolaus was doing his best to keep his voice calm.

"Why do you do this to me?"

"I thought you liked it Iolaus."

She brought her head up and licked his lips, not moving her hand.

"You do like it don't you Iolaus? You like it when I make you beg, don't you??"

She moved her tongue up to the sensitive spot behind his ear.

"Tell me, my hero. Tell me how much you like it and what you need. Tell me Iolaus and maybe I'll let you cum."

She moved her tongue back down for another lick, and when she looked up at him, his eyes were closed again. He wanted to thrust up at her, to take her hand away, but he couldn't.

He had no control here.

He opened his eyes, looked into hers and finally spoke, his voice shaken at this point.

"Oh Yes!! Yes, I Iike it!!! Please let me cum...PLEASE....!!!!"

"Who do you belong to?" Karen asked him, her voice remaining calm.

"Who Iolaus? Tell me."

Another lick at his slit. He was in agony.

"You, my love. Only you. No one else. Never. Now please, please......I'm begging you......please let me cum."

Karen had gotten what she wanted. She started to stroke him gently, then faster. She climbed into his lap and maneuvered his cock into her wetness. She was writhing on him and he grabbed her hips to hold her steady, and lifted her up and down on his cock.

He kissed her, his tongue tasting her so deep, that she thought she'd suffocate. They both came with such force that they collapsed on one another.

Iolaus smiled down at Karen.

"I love you, you know."

She smiled back.

"I know. I love you too."

Chapter Disclaimer: Hercules was miffed that he didn't get any in this chapter. The author told him he'll be busier in chapter 2, so he's a happy camper now.

CHAPTER TWO

When they arrived in Iaxom, the town looked dead. No one was mulling about. They spotted two people in an alley and went to talk to them.

It was a man and woman, and they were cowered in fear.

"It's alright. We're here to help," Iolaus said.

"Why should we believe you?" the man asked, his voice betraying his fear.

"He's Hercules," Karen said, nodding to the demigod.

"Hercules!!," the two shouted.

"Yes I'm Hercules. Can you tell me what happened here? Where is everybody?"

The woman spoke. "Most of the men are dead. The women and children have been taken to the mines to work. They work as slaves for Bellecus."

"Bellecus?" Karen asked.

Iolaus answered. "He's a power-mad warlord, who's been terrorizing towns like this for years. His army comes across a town that's easily taken, then they kill the men, and sell the women and children to slavers. Xena, Hercules, and Jason's' troops went up against him when he tried to take on Amphipolis. They scattered his men up and down the coast. That was four years ago. Obviously he has a new army now."

Hercules spoke to the man and woman.

"You need to get away from here. We've just come from the North road. It's clear, and it's safe."

"But where will we go?" asked the woman.

"Go to Corinth," Hercules continued. "Go see King Iphicles. He's my brother. Tell him what's been happening here. He'll send troops."

The man and woman nodded and took to the road.

Karen was confused.

"Why didn't Iphicles send troops with us?"

"Because," Herc answered. "we assumed it was your average power-crazed warlord. If we had known it was Bellecus, the troops would already be here."

"I'm gonna go check out some of the buildings." Karen said, drawing her sword. "I won't go far. I promise."

Both men nodded, knowing it was futile to argue. They split up as well, and when they met back up, they all agreed on one thing.

No one was left. Not even in hiding.

Night was coming so they made camp nearby.

Karen noticed that something was wrong with Iolaus. He hadn't eaten anything, and when she moved close to him, he moved away.

She glanced over at Hercules, and his eyes told her to ask Iolaus. This was not something Herc was willing to talk about.

She sat down next to Iolaus and spoke in a low voice. "What's wrong with you? You didn't eat nothing, you don't wanna be touched, and you don't want to talk. I'm starting to feel like I did something."

Iolaus answered her, and he was angry.

"Did it ever occur to you that maybe I don't want to discuss everything with you!! There are some things that are mine and mine alone!!!"

She got up, and tears were welling up in her eyes.

"I'm sorry!! Sorry for caring what happens to you!!"

She took off into the forest.

Iolaus just sat there, fuming.

"Why don't you tell her?" Herc asked.

"I did. All those months ago, after what Ares did to her. I told her I understood her feelings of shame and anger."

"But you didn't tell her it was Bellecus, did you?"

"No Herc, I didn't. She wouldn't have known who he was anyway."

"Well do you think you owe her an explanation for your behavior just now? Because I think you do. Don't hurt her Iolaus. Don't shut her out. She may love us both, but her feelings run much deeper for you. You need to talk to her. Or you're going to lose her."

Iolaus, realizing that Herc was right, got up and went to find Karen.

He found her sitting by a stream, crying, and talking to herself.

"What did I do? He's yelling at me for no reason. Mad at me and I don't know why. All I did was ask him a question. And now he hates me."

She burst into fresh tears, and Iolaus spoke to her.

He didn't know if she wanted him to touch her or go near her, so he just spoke.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to snap at you. I just didn't know what to tell you. I didn't mean to hurt you. I'd never do that, not purposely."

Karen didn't want to look at him.

"Then why?! Why did you yell at me like that? What did I say that was so wrong? Please tell me."

Iolaus sat down next to her.

He put his arm around her, but she flung it off. She didn't want him touching her right now. He understood, so he just spoke.

"Remember when I told you what happened to me, after Ares...after he...".

"Say it Iolaus. Rape. Raped me. You can't even say it."

"Okay...after Ares...raped you, I told you what happened to me, when I was taken prisoner by a warlord. I didn't tell you his name because I didn't think it mattered."

He paused, catching his breath.

"It was Bellecus. His men. And him. And I didn't tell you everything. I was ashamed of something else that happened. Something he forced me to do. I guess I pushed it out of my mind, but when I heard his name earlier, it all flashed back to me."

Iolaus had tears coming down his face, and Karen saw whatever it was, it was such a horrible memory, that he had buried it.

She reached for him and took her in his arms, as he had taken her so many times. Just held onto him, rocking him, running her hand thru his hair.

He continued to cry.

"What happened Iolaus? What was so bad that you buried it in the back of your mind? It wasn't the rape you endured. You talked about that with me. Please tell me. Let me help you for a change. Please?"

He looked up into her eyes and she saw pain there that she had never seen on anyone before.

"Tell me," she repeated.

Iolaus took a breath and spoke, in a broken voice.

"I was brought before him after I was captured. He said 'Iolaus of Thebes, friend to Hercules, not so brave now are you?' They had taken my clothes and tied my hands behind me and he...he came over to me and in front of his men he.....".

Iolaus took a deep breath, unsure if he could continue.

Karen held him tighter and whispered to him. "It's alright Iolaus. I won't let you go. Tell me the rest."

He continued.

"After he....hurt me....he gave me to his guards for their amusement. For two weeks they did things to me, things that made me feel worthless, and like nothing more than a piece of shit. But that wasn't the worst."

"And that's what you buried, isn't it Iolaus? The 'something else' that pained you more than the violation."

"Yes. I never even told Hercules. I thought he'd go away, never want to be around me again. And over time I put it in the back of my mind. I hadn't even thought about it til today. When I heard Bellecus' name it all came flooding back. All of it."

Fresh tears started flowing from him.

Karen held him tighter. "Shhh....It's okay.....I'm here.....I won't leave."

Words he had spoken to her more than once.

"Tell me Iolaus. It's the only way to deal with the pain. You know that. Please."

Their eyes met, and Iolaus continued.

"Like those people said, they take women and children for slavers.

There was a young boy, no more than 14, maybe 15 summers. Bellecus told me to take him. Said he was too old to be a virgin. I refused, told him I'd never hurt a child. He gave me a choice. Either take him or he was going to give him to the guards. I didn't know what to do. Then I realized that at least if I took him, I'd be gentle, and I wouldn't hurt him like the guards would. So they brought him to me. And they stayed, and watched me talk to him, explaining what was happening. He was frightened but I told him I wouldn't hurt him. He understood and didn't fight me. I kept my word. Afterwards they took him away. The next day, the guards took me to Bellecus. The boy was there. They made me watch while the guards....while they hurt him....and he was crying..... looking at me for help, and there was nothing I could do."

Iolaus broke down into fresh sobs.

Karen just continued to hold him, and cried with him.

"Iolaus, please, tell me the rest. You have to. It's the only way for you to purge this anger and pain. Please."

He caught his breath and went on.

"I watched them continue to hurt him for hours, doing horrible things to him. Things he didn't understand. After a while he stopped making any sounds. No screaming or yelling or pleading to stop. He just got quiet. And he just kept staring at me. His eyes were begging me for help and there was nothing I could do except stand there."

Iolaus had stopped crying, but Karen wouldn't let go of him. She just held him tighter. She wanted to be there for him as he had been for her.

"When they stopped, they let him up and he looked at me with such hate and rage. I'd never seen a look like that on a child. And I knew he blamed me. I told him I wouldn't let him get hurt, and I let him down."

Iolaus paused again and continued.

"As soon as they let him up he took a run at a guard and was run thru by the guard's sword. The last thing I saw of him were those eyes. They burned into my soul."

He finished and the cries subsided.

Karen continued to hold him, lifting his head so that their eyes met, still speaking gently.

"Iolaus, it wasn't your fault. You did what you always do. You did what was right. You tried to stop that boy from getting hurt. That's all. You couldn't know what was going to happen. And if he had been older, he would have understood what you did and why."

"I guess I know that, I just......just hold me, please don't leave."

Karen held him tighter.

"I'll never leave you Iolaus. Like you told me, I'll be here for you, and I'll help the bad dreams go away. Always with you m'love, always."

She kissed him gently and he fell asleep in her arms.

Chapter Disclaimer: Iolaus has forgiven the author for all the heavy-duty angst she gave him this chapter. He is back to giving her massages, and she has promised to stop teasing him (for now).

CHAPTER THREE

They headed to Bellecus' stronghold in the morning.

Hercules still didn't know what Iolaus had told Karen, but Iolaus seemed to be better than last night. Hercules realized that there was no way for Iphicles and his troops to get there sooner than five days, and the people that were slaving for Bellecus would be sold to other slavers by then.

So they formulated a plan to get inside.

Bellecus' den was on a cliffside, and there were drainage ducts all around. They could go thru one and they'd be inside. The problem was getting out. But they would worry about that when the time came. First things first.

The plan went fine. They went in thru a drainage pipe on the west side. But they had a slight problem when they came out the other end.

The man and the woman whom they had sent to Corinth were there. They had been captured.

Bellecus had had men on the North road and had known Hercules and Iolaus were coming. And now they were captured, as well as surrounded.

Hercules spun intending to start taking out guards, Iolaus and Karen also ready.

All of a sudden each felt a sting in their necks and collapsed, drugged.

Hercules awoke to Karen holding his head in her lap. His head felt like a piece of metal being forged. The pounding was stopping his vision from clearing. When he was finally coherent Karen filled him in on what had happened.

"They shot us up with some kind of drug. But I guess you knew that already."

"Yeah, I kinda figured."

"I think they hit you with more of it then me. Anyway, they dragged the two of us down here, and took Iolaus somewhere else. They said to tell you when you awoke that if you made an attempt to break out they would kill Iolaus. That was about six hours ago. I haven't seen him since, and the guards aren't talking. So now what do we do?"

Hercules spoke and Karen did not like what he said. "We need to play it safe. Wait for Iphicles to get here."

"Hercules, don't you remember? When we came out of that pipe those two people you sent to Corinth were there. Bellecus had men watching the North road. He set us up."

It was obvious by the look on his face that Herc remembered none of this.

"Then we need to make a new plan," he said.

Karen spoke, her voice laden with fear. "What about Iolaus? They said they'd kill him if you broke out. There would be no way to find him before he was killed."

"I know that," Hercules said. "That's why you need to get out of here. Now all we need is to think of something."

It took a while, but Karen came up with an idea.

"I have a plan," she told Hercules.

"What is it?" he asked.

She grinned. "Something that's so stupid it has to work. I saw it in an old movie once."

"What's a movie?"

"Don't ask. I couldn't explain it even if I knew how. Just go with me on this, okay."

Herc looked uneasy but agreed.

Two guards heard her screaming and came to the cell.

"I want out of here!!," she said. "I wanna see your boss. I have something he might find useful."

One of the guards spoke.

"How could you have anything of use to Lord Bellecus? And even if you do, tell me and I will give him the message."

"Yeah, sure," she said. "So you can take the credit and I still sit here in a cell. I may be a woman but I'm not stupid."

'But I think you are,' she thought.

The two guards spoke quietly, mulling over this proposition. They turned back to her.

"Alright, we will take you to Bellecus. But if this is a trick, you will die a very slow death."

"Thank you," Karen answered.

"What about him," the guard asked, nodding to Herc.

Karen spoke. "He's too scared you'll kill his friend if he tries anything. He told me so."

She looked at Hercules and he understood what she was doing. He also knew he had to stay, otherwise he'd be risking all their lives.

The guards removed her from the cell and took her to see the warlord.

She was brought to a room ornately decorated in gold and brass. She had looked for Iolaus as the guards had brought her here, but she didn't see him.

"You have something useful to me?" said a deep voice behind her.

She turned and saw a very handsome man, but one whose eyes showed only hatred and malice.

"Yes," she said. "King Iphicles of Corinth, Hercules brother, will be arriving in about two days with troops. You need to be prepared."

He glared at her, not sure whether to believe her.

"Why should I trust you? You were travelling with Hercules and his friend."

She replied, mixing dialogue from movies she had seen.

"Look, all they did was invite me to walk with them so I wouldn't be by myself. They didn't seem to think that a woman could handle much of anything without them. Besides, I want to be on the winning side. Why would I want to take sides with those losers? Anyhow, they talked me into breaking in here with them. How was I supposed to know what they had planned. I thought this would be fun."

Bellecus regarded her for a moment and Karen held her breath. She thought she was convincing. Now if the warlord did. He finally answered her.

"Alright. I'm willing to take your word, but on one condition."

"And what would that be, Lord Bellecus?"

"I want you to kill someone. That will prove everything you say."

She answered, keeping her voice steady.

"I don't see why not. And who would you have me kill?" she said with an evil grin. (Also taken from the movies.)

"Him." He pointed across the room.

There was Iolaus, hanging suspended, bruises all over his back.

Karen caught her tone of voice before she gave everything away.

"Him? He looks dead already."

"Oh, but he's not. And you are going to finish the job," the warlord told her.

"Why him?"

"Because," Bellecus continued, "He was rather concerned with you while he was still drugged. Kept asking if the woman he was with was alright. If you don't know him you should have no problem killing him, now should you."

Karen knew she'd better pick her words carefully or they were all dead. She gave a malicious chuckle.

"Him!! I fucked him, that's all. He seemed to think it meant something. He was just a good lay for the night. No more, no less. Personally, I like my men with more bite to them."

She finished this last sentence with an inviting look to Bellecus. He noticed this look, (as she hoped he would).

"I could use a bath, and some food."

"I think that can be arranged." He motioned to a guard. "Take this woman up to my room. See that she is cleaned up and fed."

Karen let out the breath she had been holding.

The room they took her to was huge.

They left her to bathe, but instead she started looking for a way out. She had to get Herc out of the cell if they were going to save Iolaus.

It wasn't as difficult as it appeared.

Karen had no problem getting out of the room, as there was another door in the wash area that led to the hall. Once out, she found her way back down to the dungeons.

At first she thought she was being set up. This was too easy.

Then she realized that Bellecus, (like many power-mad tyrants), did not consider security a problem within his own lair. Now to get Hercules out without attracting attention.

The guards downstairs were watching her. She spoke to them, just loud enough for the demigod to hear.

"Your lord said that I should come and entertain you for a while, being that you are the guards on the 'Mighty' Hercules."

The guards looked at her, unsure at first, but like most men in their position they thought with other parts of their bodies than their brains.

She took one of the guards out of sight of the other, and appeared to begin to undress. As soon as his guard was down, she decked him, and he fell over, out cold.

'I can't believe that worked,' she thought to herself with a wince. 'And I think I broke my knuckles.'

Now it was time for number two.

She took this from a movie too. She pulled off her shirt, and came within sight of the other guard.

"Yo, handsome," she said trying her best to look seductive. "You wanna join in the fun or stand there and let your friend here enjoy it all?"

The guard didn't need to be asked twice.

A moment later she was in front of the cell, keys in hand.

Hercules smiled at her. "You did good."

"Yeah well, with idiots like this it's not so hard. And don't ask how I got here. I'll tell you later. Right now we need to get Iolaus."

Hercules looked at her. "You saw him?"

"Yeah. Bellecus has him in the main room. He doesn't look good Herc. He was tied up, suspended above the floor and he's been beaten."

"Iolaus will be okay," he reassured her. "We'll get him out. But we also need to get the people out."

"So what's the plan?" she asked.

"I don't know yet. We need to work on it."

"Look, Herc, I don't know how to tell you this, but the only way I got free was to convince Bellecus that I'd sleep with him. He's going to come looking for me soon. When he finds out I'm not where he left me, we're in trouble."

"Okay," Hercules answered, "Then you go back to where he left you. We can't take that risk."

"I know," she said with downcast eyes.

He took her chin in hand and lifted her face so their eyes met.

"I know you care for me a great deal and I care for you. But I also know that you love Iolaus deeply, and I promise you that we're all getting out of here together."

She nodded, and started to turn to go. Herc kissed her gently, a kiss of reassurance. She just looked into his eyes and left.

This left Hercules to form his own plan.

Karen got back to the bedroom just in time, coming in thru the same door she'd left. She saw Bellecus about to enter thru the main door.

She pulled off her clothes and jumped in the (now cold) tub, quickly soaking, and wrapped a towel around herself.

When she came into the bedroom, he was waiting.

'Now to stall for time,' she thought.

"Where's the food? I don't have any energy," she said.

"Well you don't need any energy my dear," he said. "You don't have to do anything. I'll take care of you."

He reached out and grabbed her ass.

'Think, Karen, think,' she thought.

Then she spoke, once again choosing her words carefully.

"I'm sure you can take good care of me, m'lord. But I think it would be more fun if we both had strength, don't you?"

He smiled at her, with that same malicious look he had earlier.

"Alright. Guards!!" Two guards came in. "Go to the kitchen and have the cook prepare something special for our dinner."

The guards nodded and left.

Karen breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

'Now to get him to keep his hands off me', she thought.

She decided to make meaningless conversation.

"So how does one get to be a warlord? Do you have to kill a certain number of people? Slay a dragon? Rescue a kidnapped princess?"

Karen said all of this with a flirtatious grin, and Bellecus was hooked.

"Oh nothing like that," he answered. "You just have to be the strongest, and the smartest."

"I see," she replied. "Tell me more."

She had thought him to be an ego-maniac and she was 100% right. He started talking about himself, and his conquests and droned on and on til dinner came.

'C'mon Herc,' she thought, 'if you don't do something soon I am not going to be happy .'

Their dinner was finished, and Bellecus had no interest in telling her his life story anymore. He wanted her, and what she had promised him.

While Karen was busy trying to stall for more time, Hercules had managed to get a number of the villagers out of the cells. He directed them to the drainage pipes and sent them off.

He couldn't get to the slaves that were in the mines, not yet anyway, so he went after Iolaus. Herc found him where Karen said, still hung up in the main room.

Iolaus was badly bruised but awake and, seeing what he did to two guards after Herc got him down, was fully functional.

"Thanks Herc," Iolaus said. "Took you long enough. Where's my lady? Thought she'd be with you."

"She's with Bellecus," Hercules said.

"What??! What do you mean she's with him. How could you let this happen!! Bad enough I lost her once, but you.......".

Hercules didn't let him finish. They didn't have time for this.

"Look Iolaus, do you want to hang about here and argue or get Karen."

The Hunter's eyes answered, and he grabbed a guard.

"WHERE IS HE??!! Tell me or I'll tear you to pieces!!"

Needless to say the guard led them to Bellecus' chambers.

The sight that greeted him was not what he expected.

Bellecus was laying on the floor, a stab wound in his chest.

And they saw Karen, kneeling over him, holding a dagger. Iolaus walked over to her, and knelt down beside her.

"I killed him Iolaus," she cried. "I took a life. What kind of a person am I?"

As he had done on more than one occasion since he'd known her, he took her into his arms and just held her.

Authors Note: The SEX will return next chapter. I promise.

CHAPTER FOUR

Sometimes healing is immediate.

Sometimes it takes forever.

Right now Iolaus and Karen were both at an in-between point.

For Iolaus, the healing was almost done. The Warlord Bellecus was dead, and Iolaus could finally put his demons to rest.

But he died by Karen's hand, and now she was just beginning to heal.

Iolaus had told her: "Killing changes people. Even if you kill in self-defense."

That's what had happened. Bellecus had had Karen in his bedroom, and he wasn't allowing her to stall for any more time. He jumped at her and she grabbed the nearest weapon, a dagger, and stabbed him, her aim dead on.

Iolaus had been right. All Karen had thought was that she took a life, no more, no less.

But she was healing quickly thanks to a certain demigod and a hunter.

Every time she fell, she knew one of them would be there to catch her.

Three days had passed, and Karen had been so depressed, that Hercules suggested a vacation.

They were in Amphipolis to wish a certain Warrior Princess happy birthday. It had been so long since Karen had seen either Xena or Gabrielle, and the three were catching up on things.

"So you took out Bellecus," Xena said.

"Yeah, I did," Karen replied softly.

"First Kill?" asked Xena. Karen nodded.

"You'll be fine. I know it's painful, but time does heal. You didn't do anything wrong. That's the most important thing to remember. You defended yourself. If you hadn't killed him you'd probably be dead by now or worse."

"I know that Xena," Karen answered. "And it helps to hear you say that. And I know time will heal this feeling I have, that I've committed a mortal sin. It just hurts. Even knowing what he was, what he put Iolaus through, doesn't stop the feelings of guilt."

Xena leaned over and gave Karen a hug.

"If you didn't feel this way I'd be really worried."

"Thanks. I think I'll be okay," Karen smiled.

Iolaus came over, and helped her to her feet.

"She's doing just fine," said Iolaus. "But it's her bedtime, and she needs her rest."

Karen giggled and said to Xena, "Rest, my ass. He just wants to molest me."

They bid Xena and Gabby good night, and went to the room Cyrene had set aside for them.

Opening the door, they saw it was occupied. By a demigod. A very naked demigod. Sleeping. On his back. With his legs splayed. Iolaus and Karen looked at each other, and both had the same wicked grin as they quietly moved towards the bed. Time to awaken Hercules. Time to play.

Hercules was awakened by the feel of two tongues lapping at his penis.

Looking down he saw Karen and Iolaus, naked, apparently in the midst of a feeding frenzy. Both were moving their tongues over his shaft, taking turns, licking all over. He watched as they not only kissed and licked at his cock, but each other as well.

It was the most erotic sight he'd ever seen.

Karen raised her head and met his eyes.

"I take it you like this?" she asked, her eyes glazed, pupils dilated.

"Very much," Herc said. "What a way to be woken. This is amaz....ooohhhhh."

He didn't get to finish.

Iolaus had moved his mouth to one nipple and Karen to the other, and they each licked and sucked a nipple, while their hands roamed the demigods form, pushing him to the edge.

Then Iolaus removed his mouth, and went back to Herc's cock, deep-throating him, while Karen moved up, and took possession of Hercules' mouth.

She dipped her tongue in and kissed him with such force and so deeply, that he felt as if his breath was being stolen.

Hercules was totally lost in the feeling.

While their tongues played on him, they each moved a hand to a nipple, rubbing and pinching them, with varying force and pressure.

Hercules began to moan, suddenly bucking up and spilling in Iolaus mouth. Iolaus lifted his head, his lips glistening with Hercules semen, and Karen moved her head down, licking his lips, putting her tongue in his mouth, tasting Hercules.

They moved their tongues together over his cock, causing him to grow hard again.

Karen's sex-drugged eyes looked into both Hercules' and Iolaus'.

Iolaus grinned.

"Uh-oh Herc. She's got that look in her eyes."

Karen gave them a wicked grin.

"I think you're right Iolaus," Herc said, grinning back at him, mock fear in his voice, " And that look on her face, frightening."

Iolaus moved around to Karen's back, and began a slow massage of her shoulders.

"So what is it you want my sweet?" he whispered to her, his tongue sliding into her ear.

Hercules moved in front of her, his tongue going from one nipple to the other, suckling as a newborn babe does.

Karen leaned back, into Iolaus' chest, a soft moan escaping her lips.

Hercules kissed down her body, lifting her legs over his shoulders, and plunged his tongue into her waiting wetness.

Iolaus shifted his body, laying Karen's head on the pillow. He moved himself so his body was straddling hers, the head of his cock just touching her lips.

She tried to lift her head up to take it in her waiting mouth, but Iolaus pulled back before she could.

He brought it back, moving it along her lips, removing it again when she moved towards it.

"It's your turn to beg," Iolaus told her, his voice husky, with a seductive tone, "and you will."

He turned and his eyes met Herc's, who removed his mouth from Karen.

"Wha...?" she said, surprised.

Iolaus continued, leaning over to whisper in her ear, his tone more seductive.

"How long did you think I was going to let you tease me? Huh? How long?"

And with that word he joined Hercules in licking and nipping her inner thighs, each of them taking a side. She was writhing under their touch, trying to push up, but each brought a hand to a hip and held her down, so she was unable to move.

Iolaus sat up, at an angle, and took his hands, spreading her lips, wet from her cum. Hercules leaned in, and gently, with a feather light touch, began to massage her clit with his tongue. Iolaus' fingers joined his tongue, and the combined touch of the two, put her at the edge.

Iolaus felt her shudder, and he knew she was about to reach orgasm.

His eyes met the demigods' and both men removed their touch from her body.

Karen whimpered, and tried to grab at either one of them, but Iolaus took her hands in his, restraining her, not allowing her to touch.

Herc moved his hands and lips back to her thighs, massaging them, yet keeping them away from where she wanted them.

Iolaus moved his cock back to her lips, still holding onto her hands, teasing her, running the head along her lips and pulling back when she reached for it. He wondered how long she could take this.

He didn't have to wait long.

Karen began moaning, and began to thrust up, but Hercules' hands moved to her hips, preventing movement.

Iolaus shifted again, bringing his mouth to her ear again, winding his tongue in, whispering to her.

"Tell Herc how much you want his cock, fucking you til you scream. Beg me to fuck your mouth, feeding you, letting my cum fill you."

He straddled her chest again, bringing his hands around her head, pulling her mouth to his cock, and yet just out of reach.

"C'mon baby, give me what I want, and we'll give you what you want."

Karen was beyond coherent speech.

"YES!!! Please!!! I want both of you, now, please, plleeeaasse!! Oh gods, it's too much!!! NOW...PLEASE.....NOW!!!!"

Iolaus turned to Herc, and smiled.

In one swift movement, Hercules pulled her legs over his shoulders, thrust into her and began pounding her.

Iolaus let his eyes meet Karen's and put his cock to her lips again.

This time he let her take it in.

She sucked on it, nibbling at his head when he pulled it out a bit, and then he thrust back in. He was pushing into her mouth, and he reversed his position, so that his tongue was now beside Hercules' cock, and she felt his hot breath on her clit.

The sensations were too great for her.

Iolaus in her mouth, fucking it hard, Hercules fucking her cunt, and now Iolaus' tongue on her clit, licking it slowly, in a circular motion.

She was beyond everything else now, unable to find her voice, only able to moan, thrusting at both of them, nearing release.

Hercules groaned and pulled out of her, spilling his seed over her.

Iolaus divided his tongue between cleaning Herc's cock and licking the demigods sweetness, now mixed with Karen's.

The heady scent caused Iolaus to spend in her mouth, and he continued to fuck her, til he was empty.

Karen then gave a shriek and came with a force she'd never known.

The three collapsed together.

The two men lay on either side of her, both playing with her nipples, stroking them to hardened peaks.

Hercules whispered in her ear. "Was it good? Did you like it?"

She was about to have another orgasm.

Iolaus' voice sounded in her other ear.

"Did you like begging? I hope so. 'Cause you're going to be doing it a lot more often."

He slid his tongue into her ear, and she had another orgasm.

Karen finally found her voice.

"That was amazing. I never came so hard in my life."

She turned to Iolaus.

"You tricked me." she said simply.

"How'd you guess?" He answered.

And with a laugh he pulled her into his arms, where she fell asleep, content, very happy and extremely exhausted.

CHAPTER FIVE

The trio spent three more days in Amphipolis before heading back towards Thebes. Iolaus wanted to spend some time alone with Karen, and Hercules was going to help Jason dig a new well.

Karen was recovering from the shock of her killing of the warlord Bellecus. Even tho he had been an evil man, had tried to kill Iolaus, and tried to rape her, the thought of killing another person had upset her.

Iolaus had told her that "killing changes you, even if it's in self-defense." He had been right. But thanks to Hercules and the hunter, she was doing fine.

It took four days to get to Thebes.

Four days so quiet that Iolaus had commented that "all the marauders must be on vacation", as he was so used to he and Hercules getting jumped. It seemed that every aspiring bad guy wanted to make a name for themselves by killing Herc and Iolaus.

Arriving on the outskirts of their home village, they split up, Iolaus and Karen taking one road to Iolaus' house, and Herc to his home, where he was looking forward to seeing Jason.

"We'll meet up at Lycus' tavern later," said Hercules.

"If we don't get busy with other things," Iolaus said, leering at Karen.

"We'll be there," she added, "I'm looking forward to meeting Jason."

And with that said, they each took their own road.

When Karen arrived at Iolaus house, she was surprised. Altho she didn't know what to expect, she hadn't expected this. The house was small, but decorated nicely, and Iolaus had a village woman come in to clean every other week, so there was no dust, or dirt. Knowing they were coming, Jason had stocked the pantry with plenty of food.

Karen started going thru the pantry.

"So what do you want for dinner?" she asked Iolaus.

"Anything not cooked by you," he answered her with a grin.

After past experiences with Karen and food, he and Hercules had opted to keep her away from cooking of any sort.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she said, returning his grin.

"It means," he said, pulling her into his arms, "that I cook, you eat."

He kissed her, and she let her hands wander down to the bulge now showing quite clearly thru his pants. Iolaus broke the kiss, and tried to push her away.

"I need food. No food, no energy. No energy, no fun."

Karen giggled, and moved away from the kitchen.

"Okay, you cook. I'll start a fire. What's for dinner?"

Iolaus sorted thru the pantry.

"What was that dish you told me about?" Iolaus asked, 'flat cakes?'

"You mean 'pancakes',?"

"Yeah, I'll make some of those."

Karen may have been a disaster in actual cooking, but she had recipes in her head, and Iolaus and Hercules had been trying all kinds of stuff.

She had introduced them to some of the cuisine from the 20th century. Pancakes, french toast, pizza (Greek style, of course, with feta cheese) and others.

Iolaus served and they sat by the fire eating.

"Not bad," Karen said, "but they could use syrup."

"Syrup?" he asked.

Karen sighed.

She forgot that many of her references did not apply in this time.

"Syrup. A thick, sweet topping to put on pancakes, french toast, and other stuff."

They finished and Karen helped Iolaus clean up. Then they went back to the fireplace. Iolaus sat down, and Karen next to him, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"You get your energy back?" Karen asked him, licking her lips.

"I don't know," Iolaus replied. "Let's find out."

Iolaus turned and kissed her, letting his tongue play in her mouth. She in turn moved her hands down to his belts, which, thanks to practice, she had undone in seconds. They undressed each other, hands wandering, touching.

"Well, I see you have your energy back," she said, her hands roving around to grab his ass. "Let me see if I can help you expend some,"

She began by kissing him, running her tongue over his lips, then moving down to his chest, licking his nipples hard, before moving down to her goal. She wrapped her lips over his cock, licking the slit, than sucking ever so gently on the head, and then moved her tongue down to the base, tasting every inch of him. Iolaus moaned and put his hands on her shoulders, massaging them while she played. Karen moved her mouth back to the head and swallowed him in one swoop. She moved her talented mouth up and down, tongue playing, until he shuddered and came in her mouth.

He moved down to his knees, so they were at eye-level, kissing her hard on the mouth, tasting himself, while his hands moved over her breasts, playing with her nipples. He then moved his mouth to the same spot, doing the same thing, with his teeth.

Karen flung her head back and yelped.

The feelings he stirred within her had been unknown to her six months ago. He had released a passion in her which she hadn't know existed.

He moved his mouth from her breasts, down to that sweet place he loved to eat. With his fingers, he spread her lips, dipping his tongue in, moving it slowly over her clit, teasing her.

She began to moan, in a deep voice "Iolaus, oh gods, Iolaus....ohhh...that's good...oh so good."

He continued to run his tongue over her clit and inserted two fingers to play in her wetness.

She started to fall back, and he gently lay her down, removing his mouth.

Karen grabbed him by his hair and pulled him back, needing his tongue, and that sweet feeling of ecstasy he gave her.

He began fucking her with his tongue, massaging her clit with his talented fingers.

Karen began writhing and thrashing about, and Iolaus flung her legs over his shoulders, going even deeper.

Karen went wild, like an animal in heat. She thrust up at his mouth as hard as she could, moaning seductively,

"Fuck me with your tongue....ohhh Iolaus...so sweet.....so gentle.....Yes.....OH YESSSS!!!!"

Karen came, continuing to writhe under Iolaus skilled touch. She could never get enough of this. Each time they made love, it was like the first time.

Iolaus removed his mouth and sat up. "I need something to drink."

"Make it two," Karen said, still panting from her orgasm. He poured them some mead, and returned to the fire.

Karen stood up.

"We need to get dressed. We've gotta meet Herc and Jason soon."

Iolaus shook his head. "Let's just stay in tonight. We can see them tomorrow. Besides, I haven't expended all my energy yet."

Karen looked at him with a small smile. "But Iolaus, I promised Hercules we'd be there."

"If we don't show, Herc will know why. He'll understand," Iolaus answered.

"But Iolaus....," Karen started but didn't get a chance to finish, as Iolaus interrupted her.

"Did it ever occur to you that maybe I wanted a few days alone with you? Just the two of us. No Hercules. Just us."

His tone of voice wasn't angry, but something else. Jealousy.

Karen gave him a small smile, then she spoke.

"Iolaus, you're jealous."

"Of who?"

"Of the time I give to Hercules. The time I spend alone with him."

"I am not!!" he snapped at her.

Her smile got a little bigger. "Then why are you getting so defensive?"

"I am not getting defensive. You're talking nonsense. Why would I be jealous of Hercules and you?"

"I don't know," Karen said moving back down, so her lips were at his. "I only know that I love you. You're the best thing that ever happened to me. And if you don't want me to spend any more time with Herc, I won't."

She kissed him, her lips just brushing his.

Iolaus met her eyes, and smiled.

"No, you don't need to stop spending time with Herc. Maybe it is jealousy, sort of. I just want you all to myself for a while, 'kay?"

"Okay. Like you said he'll understand."

"Yeah he will," said Iolaus, and brought his lips to hers.

They'd see Herc and Jason tomorrow.

CHAPTER SIX

Sometimes you've got to spend time alone. And that was what Iolaus and Karen had done for two days and nights. They got out of bed once, and that was to eat. Iolaus decided to move some fruit and other food to a table by the bed.

But now it was time to get up and out. Karen wanted to meet Jason. She had read about him, and the story of the Fleece, when she was a child, and now wanted the story first hand.

Iolaus had been right about one thing. Hercules hadn't been worried when they didn't show up at the tavern the first night. Nor had he been concerned about not seeing them for two whole days. He knew why. He and Jason were talking as they patched the roof.

"I hope Iolaus left Karen with some energy," Herc said, with a grin.

"I'm sure he did," replied Jason. "If you don't mind me asking, what kind of relationship do the three of you have? I thought you and Iolaus had your own."

"We do Jason. But there's nothing wrong with sharing. Especially when you love someone."

Jason stopped what he was doing and sat down taking a drink. His face showed confusion. "Who loves who? I'm lost."

Hercules joined him, the cold water soothing his parched throat. "Well lets see. Iolaus loves Karen and Iolaus loves me. I love Iolaus and Karen. As for Karen she loves both of us, but her strongest passions are reserved for Iolaus. The times I've been with the two of them it's easy to tell. And when it's just the two of us....."

Herc paused, trying to find the right words. "She gives me pleasure, but only some of her passion. Her love shows, but not the same as she shows Iolaus."

"And Iolaus?" asked Jason.

"He's sort of the same," Herc answered.

"Sort of?"

Hercules paused again, trying to get the words right.

"Iolaus reserves some of his passion for Karen alone. But he still shows me plenty. And the things they've done to me......." Hercules sighed and his eyes showed he was drifting in a very nice memory.

"Wanna tell me?" Jason asked, a smile playing in his eyes.

"Maybe later," Herc said, and they went back to the roof.

Karen finally convinced Iolaus, the third time she had done so, to get up and get dressed. The previous two times had been futile. She tried to get up, and Iolaus grabbed her, pulling her back, and touching her in such a way, that she acquiesced. Not that she was complaining. Making love with Iolaus was never the same twice. It was always like making love for the first time. But now, that time was past, she wanted out, and nothing he could do was gonna get her back in bed. But he tried anyway.

Karen was sitting on the edge of the bed, pulling her pants on, when he started. Iolaus came behind her, massaging her shoulders, running his hands down to her breasts, and his tongue in her ear. She felt his hot breath as he spoke to her, his tone soft and seductive.

"You don't really want to leave NOW, do you? I just thought of something new to do. I think you'll like it."

Her head fell back against his chest, but she caught herself, and sat back up.

"Iolaus, I want to meet Jason. And we haven't seen Herc in two days. We'll be back soon enough for that 'something new' you wanna show me. I promise."

Karen said this in what Iolaus had dubbed her 'little innocent girl tone' (with matching eyes), and he could never say no to her when she did that. So they got dressed and headed out.

When they arrived, Herc and Jason were sitting outside.

"Hercules," Karen shouted, running to him. He stood and she jumped into his arms, planting a big kiss on his mouth.

"Well it looks like he didn't wear her out," said Jason, motioning to Iolaus.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Iolaus asked with a grin. "What's Herc been telling you?"

Jason didn't get a chance to answer. Karen extricated herself from Herc's arms and went to him. Grasping his hand as she had seen Herc and Iolaus greet fellow warriors, she was smiling, a big smile.

"So you're the famous Jason, of the Argonauts. I've been wanting to meet you for a while. When we were staying with Iphicles, you were out at sea. I am so glad to finally meet you. I want to hear all about the Golden Fleece, and your other adventures." Karen was like a little girl, jumping up and down, still smiling.

Jason smiled back. "They were with me when we got the Fleece. Why didn't you ask them?"

"Because," Karen replied, with a lilt in her voice. "Iolaus would make it sound like he did it all by himself, and Hercules is very sedate about talking about his adventures. I read about you when I was a child. My history books spoke of your quest for the Fleece, and some others. But I want the story straight from the source."

"Well okay then. How about we go inside, have lunch, and I'll tell you some of my adventures."

Karen nodded rapidly. "Yeah...lets...sounds good to me."

Their lunch was interrupted by a knock at the door, and a call for Hercules. But it was not a call for help, not the usual kind. Menon, a young boy from the village, told them that his father had broken his leg that morning, and they needed help with the harvest. He came straight to find Hercules and Iolaus because they were childhood friends of his father.

"I'll stay with Jason," Karen said with a smile. "I'd like to hear what you guys were like in the 'olden days'."

"I'll show you 'olden days' when we get back," said Iolaus, pulling her in for a deep kiss. When he broke it she stumbled backwards, out of breath.

She waved at Herc, a goofy grin on her face. He waved back, with a look that said, 'I'll show you too', and they left.

Karen helped Jason clear away the dishes, and they went to sit outside. Jason had been telling her some of the tamer stories, and she wanted more.

"C'mon Jason. Tell me something raunchier. I wanna know. Please?" she said, giving him her 'little girl' look.

"Alright, but you don't tell them I told you, okay? Deal?"

"Deal," said Karen. And Jason proceeded to tell her a story so raunchy and sexed-up, that she found herself blushing and giggling.

Jason smiled when he finished. "Don't tell them."

"I promised I wouldn't Jason, and I won't."

"Okay then," said Jason, "why don't you tell me about yourself. From what Hercules told me, you are a mystery. Other than the fact you're from another time, and your grandmother taught you certain survival skills, they know nothing. Judging from the way you reacted to the stories, I'm willing to bet you didn't have much of a childhood."

"It's not my childhood. It was my teenage years, and the time after my Gran died, when I was 19. Things I'm not proud of. I wasn't always on the side of 'good'. I've just never been able to talk about it, that's all. I know Iolaus and Herc wouldn't think any different of me, but I can't. Not yet."

Jason smiled at her, and took her hand in his. "If you ever want to talk, I'm here."

She kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you Jason. You're as good a man as the history books made you out to be."

Jason laughed. "I'm glad. Iolaus told me the historians turned him into Herc's nephew, and his 'charioteer'."

Karen laughed with him and she was happy. She had made a new friend, someone she knew she could trust. And that counted for more than anything.

Hercules and Iolaus arrived back late. Karen and Jason had eaten, and he had told her more stories of their academy days.

Iolaus walked straight over to Karen, leaned down, his lips brushing hers, and said in his most seductive tone, "Did you leave any food for us?"

She laughed and got the two men some stew and cold ale. The two ate like starving men. Before Karen had a chance to sit back down, they had cleaned their bowls, and were holding them out for seconds.

"More please," they said together.

Karen giggled. "I've got 'Oliver Twist' times two," she said, taking their bowls.

"Who???"

"Oliver Twist," she said, looking at them like they should know Dickens. Then she remembered. "Never mind. You wouldn't understand. It's a future thing."

Iolaus grinned taking the bowl from her. "You mean like syrup?"

Karen smiled back, thrusting Herc's bowl at him. "Yeah, like syrup."

It was past midnight when Karen and Iolaus prepared to leave. Karen promised Jason she'd be by more often. The boys had been planning to stay for a while, and just try to relax. They'd leave if there was an emergency, but at this point, for no other reason.

Hercules was preparing to go to his room, and didn't see the look that passed between Karen and his best friend. Iolaus' eyes met Karen's, then he looked at Hercules, back at Karen, and nodded. She smiled at him, kissed him, and followed Herc into his room.

She didn't hear Jason and Iolaus.

"Game of cards, Jase?" "Poker?" "Yeah, why not." "Sounds good."

Herc turned around, intending to close the door, but was met by a pair of hazel eyes smiling wickedly into his. Karen ducked under his arm so he could shut the door.

In the few seconds it took Hercules to accomplish this small task, Karen had gotten naked and was sitting on his bed, her back against the wall.

Her legs were spread and she was masturbating, one hand spreading her luscious lips, a finger rubbing her clit, the other hand playing with her nipples, rolling them in her fingertips, til they were stiff and erect.

Hercules just stood there, staring. He had seen and done many things, but the one thing he hadn't seen was a woman pleasuring herself.

Karen started to moan softly, just loud enough for the demigod to hear. She was reaching orgasm, and Hercules suddenly realized that he needed to get his clothes off.

By the time he sat on the bed and got his boots off, Karen climaxed, throwing her head back on the pillow, her breath coming in pants.

She was so gone in her own ecstasy, that she abruptly sat up, wound her arms around Herc from behind, teasing at his nipples thru his shirt.

The shirt came off real quick. Hercules stood trying to get his pants off, but with Karen's hands moving all over his upper body, (and starting to go lower), he lost his balance, and fell back onto the bed. Karen giggled, and straddled his legs, undoing his belts, and helping slide his pants off. His penis stood straight up, and Karen wasted no time.

She threw herself over Herc like a blanket, kissing him all over, licking his nipples, and nipping at them, massaging his shoulders. She took one hand and rubbed it inside herself, getting it slick with her cum, giving it to Herc to lick while she moved her mouth lower. He was sucking at her fingers, one at a time, with such force, that Karen thought she might faint from the feeling.

Before she knew what was happening, he flipped her over onto her back, and brushed his thick shaft against her wetness, holding her down by the hips, so she couldn't move, just feel.

"Tell me," he said.

"What?" Karen replied.

"Tell me," he said again, pulling his cock away from her.

"I want you," she said looking into his eyes, shining so bright in the moonlight. "I want you fucking me......like there's no tomorrow.....please.... Hercules, if you love me, please pleasure me."

He turned her again, and sat her astride himself. He was holding her just above his cock, and slowly lowered her onto it. She began writhing, so he held her tighter, and moved her up and down his hardness.

He felt her shudder and new she was near completion, so he reversed their positions again.

He lifted her legs over his shoulders and plunged into her with such force, she thought she'd break in two.

She opened her eyes, and found herself staring into his, knowing that the look of lust and love on his face matched her own. Herc was reduced to grunts at this point, the power of speech unknown to him. All he knew was this woman and the pleasures he was giving her, and she to him.

Karen started moaning, the words coming out in a guttural whisper.

"Yes, oh yes.....harder Hercules, go deeper, yes, oh fuck me like you mean it......Oh Herc, I'm cumming...Herc together, pleeaassseee."

Her head was thrashing against the pillow, and she was leaving scratches on his back, but neither noticed. They were caught up in passion and lust, and nothing else mattered, but their completion, together.

Herc found his voice. "Oh yeah, together....cum with me...oh yessss!!!"

Karen had an orgasm at the same time, and he lay her on her side, not breaking the contact just yet. He kissed her, hard, and moved out of her. He took her in his arms and held her, caressing her arms, kissing her face.

"Stay the night," he said softly. "Please."

"But Herc, Iolaus is....."

Hercules put his finger to her lips. "Shhhh. Iolaus knows he can sleep in the spare room, or he can come in here with us. But you're sleeping here tonight. In my bed. With me. And I am going to make love to you, til you drop from exhaustion. Is that understood?"

Karen looked at him and spoke one word.

"Yes."

Chapter Disclaimer: The story that Jason told Karen was so raunchy, that I dare not put it down on paper. I'll be arrested under the obscenity act.

CHAPTER SEVEN

The next morning Karen got up, and went to find Iolaus. Strangely enough Herc was still sleeping. Before she left she touched his forehead, thinking he was sick. But not sick...just exhausted.

She had lost track of how many times the demigod had made love with her the previous night. He was insatiable. Every time she had thought him spent, and done, he was hard again, wanting more from her. Which she had given.

Karen didn't know how she was able to move. Maybe her libido was bigger than his. All she knew now, was she was horny, Herc was sleeping, and she had to find Iolaus.

She found Jason cooking breakfast, and when she asked about Iolaus, she was pointed to the barn.

Iolaus was sacking flour to take to town, and he didn't hear Karen behind him. The next thing he knew, he was sitting on his ass, in a stall, with a woman in his arms.

Said woman then began to leave a trail of kisses from his shoulder up to his neck, and back again.

"I take it you had a good night," Iolaus said to her, turning her face to his and giving her a very sensuous kiss.

When he finally broke the kiss, Karen was both breathless and light-headed.

"Yeah. But it would've been better if you had joined us. Where'd you sleep? With Jason?"

The question flew out of her mouth before she could stop it. She felt her face changing color.

Iolaus didn't even notice. He just answered her.

"Nah. Jase likes girls. Only girls. Believe me, I tried many times when we were younger. I slept in the spare room."

(Unlike her time, Karen was beginning to learn, men of this era had no qualms regarding same sex relations, or their own sexuality. In this respect they were more civilized than her own century.)

Karen smiled at him. "So why didn't you come in to us?"

"Because I knew you wanted some time with Hercules. It's okay. I WAS jealous when you said I was. I wanted you all to myself. It wasn't even a want anymore. It became a need."

Karen started to respond to this, but Iolaus wasn't finished.

"I came to two conclusions last night. I love two people. Why shouldn't they be allowed to share love?"

Karen paused, making sure he was finished, before she spoke.

"I love Hercules, Iolaus. But the love I have for you runs deeper. I can't explain it. It's just something I feel. I'm sorry. I didn't want to hurt you."

She started to get up, but Iolaus pulled her back down, kissing her deeply, breaking the kiss gently. He ran his tongue over her lips as he spoke softly to her.

"You didn't hurt me. Now shut up."

Iolaus pulled her into another deep kiss, putting his hands on the ends of her shirt, intending to remove it, but Karen stopped him.

She began to undress him, slowly, moving her tongue over every spot she uncovered. By the time she got him naked, he was panting.

She stood, and began to strip herself, sweet and slow, and she watched Iolaus stroke himself while she did. By the time she finished, he was hard, and his eyes invited her back to his lap.

She sat back down, straddling his legs, her lips touching his, running her tongue along his lips. Then with a sudden movement, she plunged it into his mouth, taking possession of what was hers.

Iolaus was not remaining idle. His hands moved across her back, gentle caresses, which were causing Karen to kiss him harder and deeper, her hands gripping his shoulders, leaving finger marks.

She tried to pull away, her intention to tease him, but Iolaus wasn't about to give up control of the situation. Not now. Not at this moment. He was going to give her what she had given him, only more so.

"Uh-uh," he said, pulling her back to him. "You're mine right now. No teasing, no torture. Mine. And don't forget it."

He said this so calmly, she could only have one answer, which she gave as a whisper in his ear.

"Yours......all yours......do what you will.....I won't fight you."

Iolaus grabbed her hair, pulling her head back, kissing and licking her neck. He pushed her back gently, so that he was above her, and began moving his tongue further down.

He made it to her breasts, and began to lick and bite at her nipples, causing her to moan. He stopped, looked into her eyes and spoke, his voice still calm and soft.

"You like that don't you. Feels good doesn't it. Pain and pleasure. You want some more?"

She grunted in response and pushed her body to his.

He returned his mouth to her breasts, and continued the slow torture of biting and nipping, licking and sucking, til she was writhing in his arms.

"Iolaus.....take me now....please....want you....need you."

He looked at her, grinning lasciviously, his eyes a mix of lust and teasing.

"I don't think so," he said, his tongue moving up to her ear, whispering. "I said you're mine. I'll do what I want, when *I AM* ready. Understand?"

His emphasis on those two words was not lost on her.

"Yes Iolaus," she said simply.

As he moved his tongue towards her sweetness, he continued to speak in that calm tone, which was forceful in its own way.

"You want my tongue there Karen? Sucking your clit, fucking you with my tongue. I know you like that. Tell me. Tell me how much you like it, and maybe I'll give you more."

She was totally lost now, his words echoing in her head. She answered him in that same tone.

"Yes....take me...possess me...anything...just please give to me...I need you......please...please..."

She didn't need to say anymore.

Swiftly Iolaus pulled her legs over his shoulders, thrusting his tongue in, alternating between licking her, and sucking on her clit.

Karen grabbed his hair, pulling him deeper, as she always did when Iolaus did this.

She began to thrust at him hard, and he tried to extricate himself, but he couldn't. Her hands were tangled in his hair and there was no way she was letting him up. Not yet.

With a shriek, she threw her head back and came, Iolaus sucking her juices into his mouth. Karen was in ecstasy.

When she let go of him, he raised his head, staring into her eyes, and began to move his tongue back up to her mouth, slowly, kissing every inch of her.

He reached her mouth and kissed her, the taste of herself on his tongue nearly causing another orgasm.

Iolaus sensed this, and kissed her harder, bruising her lips. Then he abruptly broke the kiss.

'Revenge is sweet.', he thought.

He was going to stay in charge, whether Karen liked it or not. She didn't.

"What do you want Iolaus? Tell me and it's yours."

He answered her, his voice not changing, his tone remaining calm. He knew that this tone was her undoing.

"I want you to beg....(he twisted at a nipple).....pleading with me to fuck you (then the other nipple).....Begging for my cock inside you."

He brushed his cock along her clit. Karen moaned in response and tried to push up. But Iolaus had his hands on her hips and was not letting her move.

Karen was in agony at this point. She wanted him, and she didn't want to beg. But she had no choice. As she had done to him many times, he gave her none.

She managed to bring one of her hands to his nipple and squeezed, causing Iolaus to yelp.

He knew what she was trying to do, and no way was he going to let her. He was going to hear her beg, plead, and moan for him. She had had the upper hand for far too long, in his opinion.

He looked around the stall and saw some rope dangling by a bridle. Reaching out he got a hold of it. He flipped her over and bound her wrists. This, he knew, would be the only way to keep control over her.

He put her on her back again. With her hands bound, she obviously couldn't touch him, and she began to writhe against him again.

"No!!" he said. "You get what I give you, when I say!!"

His tone had changed, from calm and soft to controlling and gritty. She had never heard this tone from him and she was unsure how to react. He sounded so possessive, so different.

She liked it.

And he knew it.

"You're mine!! Don't forget it!! You do what I say from now on!!"

She had no words at this point, but that was irrelevant. From his tone she knew she'd better keep quiet.

So she just nodded.

He spoke to her again in a soft, calm tone.

"That's a good girl. Now behave yourself."

Iolaus sat back, away from her, and looked at her, his eyes moving from her head to her feet. His fingertips moved to her inner thighs, and he caressed them gently. Her reaction was what he had been hoping for.

Karen began to push against him again, and Iolaus moved away.

In one move he flipped her over and put her across his knees. She thought she knew what was coming, but was still shocked when he did it.

'Whack!!'

Iolaus smacked her ass.

"I told you to behave yourself. This is what happens to little girls who don't listen."

She tried to turn herself over, but Iolaus stopped that.

'Whack!!'

Another smack on her ass.

"You don't pay attention, do you?"

She spoke to him, in a little-girl tone.

"I'm sorry Iolaus. I'll behave. I promise."

"Will you now? Or do you just want me to stop?"

'Whack!'

"Tell me how much you like this. Not being in control. You put me in this position enough. Now you tell me."

'Whack!'

This time, however, he gently massaged her cheek afterwards.

"Tell me Karen. Do you like being possessed? Owned? Like I said, you are mine. You belong to no one else. Not Hercules. No one. Just me."

'Whack!'

A gentle massage over her cheek again.

Iolaus was glad she couldn't see his face. But he knew she felt his cock getting harder each time he spanked her.

"TELL ME!! NOW!"

She was whimpering, needing him to fuck her.

"Iolaus I belong to you. You own me. No one else. I'll behave. Just please, please, fuck me...touch me...do whatever you want...pain....pleasure...just don't stop."

He was beginning to feel the need for release, and he was about to turn her over. Then he realized her ass was right there. And Iolaus decided that was what he wanted.

Laying her flat on her stomach, he straddled her thighs, massaging her (now-red) cheeks, and moved two fingers into her cunt, lubricating them. Then he gently spread her, and put one finger in. She didn't move.

"Good girl. You just stay like that, and let me play for a while."

He now had two fingers in her, and was fucking her ass, spreading her for his waiting cock. He urged her up onto her knees, and covered her upper body with his own.

He spoke to her, his tone gentle again.

"Do you want me to fuck you now? Do you?"

She answered him, her voice belying her need.

"Yes, Iolaus, please. Fuck me, fuck me now, please...now"

"That's a good girl. It's all for you my sweet. All for you."

And he plunged his cock into her ass, sheathing it in one shot, the combined feelings of pain and pleasure, causing her to moan.

Which is exactly what Iolaus had wanted her to do.

He pulled out til only the tip of his cock was touching her, and he rubbed it along the crack. Winding his arms around her chest, he cupped her breasts, massaging them, the feeling driving her to the edge. He began to rain kisses on her back as he spoke, his voice low and seductive.

"You want it some more? Tell me baby. Tell me what you want."

"Want you...in me...give it to me Iolaus...please....I can't...please..."

Her voice was breaking, and Iolaus didn't have the heart to tease her anymore. He'd made his point. No matter what she did with him or to him, no matter how she teased him from now on, no matter what she said, she now knew she was his, only his. Not the other way around.

Iolaus now owned her, completely. Karen belonged to him.

Body and soul, and beyond.

He sheathed himself in her ass again, and began fucking her, slowly at first, increasing the pace as her breathing got heavier. He reached around and his fingers played with her wetness, rubbing her clit, til she was meeting his thrusts with equal force.

He knew right when she was at the edge, and began to speak to her, just loud enough for her to hear.

"Cum for me baby...oh yeah...that's it....yeah...let it go..."

Karen came with a fury, her voice gone, her body exhausted.

But Iolaus wasn't finished yet. He pulled himself out and rolled her over onto her back. He straddled her chest, bringing his cock to her mouth, touching it to her lips.

She opened her mouth to take him, and he pushed in, stroking himself on each outward thrust.

She took him deep, playing with her tongue, and he came a few seconds later, shooting down her throat.

When he was done, he pulled her up onto her knees, reached around and untied her.

She still didn't have a voice, but her eyes spoke for her. She was his. Nothing would ever change that. Not Hercules, nor any other man or woman in existence. Karen may have thought she owned Iolaus, but she now knew she had been very wrong. She was his property, his alone.

He took her into his arms, and kissed her.

"I didn't hurt you did I?" He asked her softly, his eyes showing uncertainty.

"No, Iolaus, you didn't. You gave me more pleasure than I've ever known. As a matter of fact, I think I'd like some more."

"If you think you're up to it," he said with a grin.

"Oh yeah and then some," she replied.

And Iolaus took her in his arms, and proceeded to do just that.

Chapter Disclaimer: Jason got a tummy ache brought on by eating four breakfasts.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Karen was getting set to walk to the village. Iolaus wanted to go with her but she wanted to be by herself. She loved him, and knew he was afraid for her, but she finally convinced him she could take care of herself. He gave her a list and some dinars and she was on her way.

'Now this is going to be fun', she thought to herself. 'It's not going to AandP, but fun still. 'Bout time they let me off the leash.'

This last thought put a smile on her face. Neither Iolaus nor Hercules liked her going off on her own, albeit for different reasons.

Hercules was afraid she'd get into trouble. In the time he had known her, she'd been arrested four times, thrown in jail twice, and gotten into numerous fights.

Iolaus, on the other hand, was afraid that something bad would happen. He still thought about what Ares had done, and had an image of Ares coming to take her again.

But she had convinced them otherwise. Of course she wouldn't have been able to do it without Jason's help. He was becoming an ally of sorts against the two men she loved. He had convinced the boys that Karen needed to be able to take care of herself, to be on her own. And they had reluctantly agreed.

Karen was enjoying her walk thru the forest. Like Iolaus, she shunned 'ready-made' trails, enjoying the wilderness instead. But that was only during the day. At night she preferred knowing where she was. Too many years of horror movies. Iolaus hadn't understood the first night he took her 'off trail', and at the first unfamiliar sound she flipped out, mumbling something about "Jason Voorhies and his mother."

But it was daylight, and she was fine. Her senses alert, she heard a sound behind her and drew her sword. She turned and saw a very handsome gentleman, smiling at her. She prepared to defend herself, then she saw he wasn't armed.

"And who might you be?" she asked.

"I may be many things," he said, twirling his mustache. "But if you must know, I am Autolycus, King of Thieves."

He said this so nonchalantly, that she found herself giggling.

"What's so funny?" he asked her, indignation in her voice.

She spoke in-between giggles.

"So you're Autolycus. I've heard about you."

"Ah, my reputation precedes me."

"Not exactly. Iolaus and Hercules told me about you. Hercules seems to think you're pretty good at what you do."

"Oh he does, does he. And Iolaus?"

"I'm too much of a lady to repeat what he said," Karen replied, feigning embarrassment.

Autolycus grinned. "I can imagine what he said."

"Well he told me about the pig thing, the chicken incident, the two of you chained together, and some other stuff."

"Wait a sec'. I got it. You're 'future-girl', aren't you. Yeah, Gabrielle told me about you. You sent Discord to Tartarus. It is a most definite pleasure to meet you."

He bowed to her, his arm going in a big sweep.

"Well", she said, blushing slightly, "I didn't do it by myself. I just helped. But thank you. So what brings you to Thebes?"

"Just passing thru. But I'm glad I did. Would you care for an escort?"

Karen smiled sweetly. "Certainly. But if you put your hands near me, I'll break them."

"No problem. Besides, from what Gabrielle said, if I go near you Iolaus will introduce me to Hades, and Hercules will pound me into the ground."

"I think you have it backwards," she said with a laugh.

Autolycus went with her to town, and it turned out to be a good thing. Karen was used to supermarkets, where the prices were set. But in the agora, you had to bargain. She had been with Iolaus and Hercules, and watched them, but she was no good at it. But it was something that Autolycus was very good at. They managed to get more food than Karen would've been able to.

Autolycus walked with her back to Iolaus'. He was patching the roof when he saw her coming back. When he saw who she was with, his demeanor took on a new look.

"What are YOU doing here?" Iolaus asked.

"Iolaus," said Karen, with a real sweet smile, "be nice. Thanks to Autolycus here I got more food than I would've without him. He's real good at bargaining. I would have just paid whatever the shop owners told me. I'm not real good at it."

Autolycus laughed. "Yeah, like she said, you be nice to me."

Iolaus glared at Autolycus, and spoke, his tone still pissed off.

"What are you doing here? And don't give me any crap that you're just passing thru'. I know you better than that."

"Why Iolaus. I'm hurt," Autolycus said, making a puppy-dog face.

"Yeah, I'm sure you are. But you still haven't answered me."

Karen interrupted. "Boys, enough is enough. Iolaus, Auto was kind enough to help me in the agora. And Auto, don't bullshit him. If you know him, then you should know better."

Iolaus grimaced. "Auto??? You're calling him Auto?? Did I miss something??"

"You didn't miss anything Iolaus," Karen told him flatly.

"Good." Turning to Autolycus he said "Keep it that way, 'Auto'. Touch her and I'm gonna introduce you to Cerebus personally."

"I'm hungry," Karen said. "I'm gonna go make some lunch."

Iolaus cut her off before she could get to the house.

"I'll do it. Stay away from the kitchen. The life I save may be mine."

He went inside leaving the other two alone.

"Look, I'm just gonna go," said Autolycus.

"Don't talk nonsense. You're welcome to stay. At least for lunch. But like I said, don't give him bullshit. I suggest you tell him what you're really doing here. Or if you don't want to tell him, tell me. I listen good."

"Look, for a change it's true. I'm passing thru Thebes on my way to Cresus. No hidden agenda's, no specific plans."

"Okay. Well I believe you. and Iolaus will too."

They ate lunch and between Karen and Autolycus, they managed to convince Iolaus. The talk then turned to other things. Like the chicken. Within seconds, Karen was standing in between two men who were ready to strangle each other.

"You two are acting like children. No scratch that. Children behave better than you do. Now sit down, shut up and EAT!!"

They did.

Autolycus left after lunch to continue on his way to Cresus.

"I hope to see you again, m'lady," he said, kissing her hand.

"Likewise," said Karen.

"Not too soon for me," Iolaus mumbled.

Karen smiled at him, and he caved.

"Alright, alright. Have a safe journey 'Auto'."

"Gee thanks Iolaus. Nice to know you still care."

And with that he was off.

Karen noticed the look on Iolaus' face and couldn't resist.

"He really is a nice guy," she said (purposely) with a sigh. "Got a nice ass too."

"NICE ASS!! Are you sure nothing happened I should know about?"

"Well.....no," Karen said, smiling.

Iolaus looked confused.

"What? Nothing happened or nothing I should know about?"

"You figure it out." And that said she walked into the house, leaving Iolaus standing there, dumbfounded.

He paused, thinking of what she just said, and then followed her inside, still talking to her. What he saw shut him up, and made him forget all else on his mind.

Karen was sitting on a chair, her legs splayed over the arms, and she was very naked.

"You were saying...?" she said to him, her fingers moving downwards on her body.

"I have no idea," Iolaus replied, staring at her, his eyes following her hands. He'd never known a woman to get undressed as quickly as she did.

Karen's hands had reached her breasts, and she started playing with her nipples, getting them hard. (Not to mention doing the same to one very libidinous hunter, whose eyes never left her hands.)

"Why Iolaus, I thought you wanted to know what happened between Autolycus and me?"

Iolaus' eyes followed Karen's hands as they moved down to her (now) very wet pussy, spreading the lips, and playing with her clit.

"Yeah, whatever," he answered. Right now the only thing on his mind was what was in front of him. Everything else was irrelevant.

Iolaus knelt down in front of her, shedding his vest, rubbing his hands along her thighs, following his hands with gentle kisses. He moved his mouth to her wetness, and just dipped his tongue in, tasting her.

But Karen, as per the norm, didn't just want him to taste. She grabbed him around his neck with her legs and pulled him to her. Before he had a chance to react he had a face full of Karen, and he took full advantage of it.

He ran his tongue into her pussy, and started to fuck her with it. He knew how much she liked that, how much that pleasured her. His hands free, he undid his belts and had his pants off in moments. Karen, at this point, was writhing against him. Iolaus wanted to be inside her.

Lifting his head, he pulled her down to the floor, sitting her astride himself. He sat her atop his (now very) erect cock, and she rode him, their hands interlocking, eyes looking into each others, each seeing the passion they had for the other. Iolaus was close to orgasm now, and he wanted to take her, and fuck her hard.

He slowly reversed their positions so he was atop her, his cock resting at her sweetness. He put his hands on her hips to keep her steady and plunged his shaft in, fucking her so hard that she was sure she'd be visiting with Hades before they were thru.

Karen began to moan, and she knew that they were both near completion.

"NOW...IOLAUS NOW....I"M GONNA CUM...WITH ME...NOW!!!"

"Happy to oblige," he said calmly. And he came with her.

They were both on the verge of collapse. Their lovemaking had reached the point where it had become so passionate, so lusty, that they wore each other out.

They smiled at each other, much love showing. Neither one of them had ever felt like this. Life was good.

It was midday, but Iolaus suggested a nap. They were going to meet Hercules and Jason later, and it would probably be a late night.

Iolaus was awakened by Karen talking in her sleep, something she did on occasion. He knew she wasn't having a nightmare, as her voice was calm and she was smiling. The words she was saying were jumbled, yet the words themselves took him aback.

"Autolycus.....no.....we can't.....Auto no....oh Autolycus.....that's so good...."

Iolaus was in shock. She'd been with Autolycus???

What Iolaus didn't see was Karen, peeking at him. The smile she had on her face was for him. Iolaus however, assumed she was smiling for the thief.

She heard him pacing and mumbling to himself, and had to stifle her giggle.

"I'm gonna kill him. Yeah. Me and Herc. Beat him to a pulp. Herc will break his arms. I'll break his legs. Yeah...that sounds good."

She couldn't hold it in anymore. She burst out laughing.

Iolaus was staring at her.

"What's so funny??"

"You are," she said between giggles. "You thought I was with Autolycus."

And she burst into a fresh load of laughter.

"Excuse me? You weren't asleep were you?"

"Oooh, the mighty hunter has a brain too," she said, still laughing.

He gave her a look that gave her second thoughts about what she had done. She backed up, but being she was on the bed, she only made it as far as the headboard. There was nowhere else to go.

"Um, Iolaus, it was only a joke. Really. Nothing happened between me and Autolycus. Honest. Nothing."

He advanced on her, and she scrunched her eyes shut, waiting for what was to come. She knew he was right next to her, and she froze, wondering what he would do.

He started to tickle her. Running his hands along her sides, causing very loud giggles from her.

"Iolaus....stop...stop...."

"Not until you apologize." He continued to tickle her.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Iolaus stopped, and planted a big kiss on her mouth.

"Don't do that again. If you do, you won't like what I do."

He was trying to look serious, but he couldn't keep a straight face. He started laughing.

Karen smiled at him, a big grin on her face.

"I won't, I promise."

"Okay. I forgive you. This time."

"Okay. Since you forgive me, do you think you'd like to......"

She didn't get a chance to finish. She didn't need to. He already knew what she was going to say. He leaned over to kiss her when there was a pounding at the door. They ignored it, thinking whoever it was would go away.

When the knocking didn't stop, Iolaus got up, intending to kill the person on the other side. When he opened the door, a man fell in, his head bleeding, his face a cacophony of bruises.

It was Autolycus.

Authors Note: Jason Voorhies (and his mother) belong to the 'Friday the 13th' people...Sean S. Cunningham, etc.

CHAPTER NINE

Autolycus awoke to a soft voice, and a cool cloth on his forehead.

"Hi, welcome back to consciousness," said Karen.

Autolycus tried to sit up but the pain in his head wouldn't let him.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," said Karen. "You have one hell of a concussion, not to mention that you've been out cold for almost 10 hours. Would you care to enlighten us as to what happened?"

At the word 'us', Autolycus looked around. Sitting on the other side of the bed were Hercules and Iolaus, both looking very concerned.

"I don't know. I was on my way to Cresus, on the western path, and the next thing I knew, I was here. Can anybody tell ME what happened, because I certainly don't know."

"All we know is you left here yesterday afternoon, and you showed up at my door last night, with a nice sized lump on your head," Iolaus said.

"Are you SURE you can't tell us what happened?" asked Hercules.

"No," said Auto, "honestly, I don't remember. I do know I'm hungry tho."

"I'll get you some food and water," said Karen, getting up.

Iolaus and Hercules looked at each other, then at the thief. Their eyes showed disbelief in his story.

"Look, guys, I'm telling the truth. I don't know who jumped me or why. I've been good. In fact, I haven't stolen anything in four weeks. Honest. I was on my way to visit Widow Twanky for some dance lessons. I got a partner for the contest in Rumba, and I figured if HE (he motioned to Hercules) could win it, than I definitely could."

Karen had come back into the room.

"HE won a dance contest!! Herc, I've seen you try to dance. How did you manage it."

Hercules blushed. "It's a long story."

"Well then, you can tell me later. Right now the King of Thieves needs some nourishment."

She sat down next to him and began to feed Auto some soup.

"Very good. Chicken?" he said with a smirk, looking at Iolaus.

Karen spoke to him like he was a little boy.

"Don't start. Iolaus has been nice enough to let you rest here, and I don't want to hear one more word about the chicken. From EITHER of you. Understand." Both men nodded.

She managed to get Autolycus to finish the soup. (Which was chicken.)

He was drowsy, so she motioned Herc and Iolaus out of the room.

"You get some rest," she told the thief. "I'll be in to check on you later."

Autolycus smiled. "Thanks."

"Yeah well, don't thank me just yet. Thank me when you can get up."

Before Karen finished the sentence, Autolycus was asleep. She quietly left the room.

She heard Herc and Iolaus talking, and she didn't like what she heard.

"What do you think he's up to?" "I have no idea." "Well we better keep an eye on him." "I agree."

"What is wrong with the two of you?" Karen said angrily. "That man has a concussion. I also happen to believe what he says. And he's not going to be moving out of that bed for at least a day. All you can talk about is what kind of underlying motive he has. Did it ever occur to either one of you that perhaps he's telling the truth?"

"No," both men answered.

"Well, like I said, I do. Now why don't the two of you make yourselves useful and try to find out what happened to him. Whether or not you believe his motives shouldn't matter. He's been hurt and you two are supposed to be the 'good guys'. So go do what heroes do, and get some answers."

The hunter and demigod sheepishly looked at her. She was right.

"Well. Are you going or not??"

"We're going," Iolaus said standing. "Why do you always have to be right?"

"It's a female thing." Karen answered, smiling at him.

He pulled her close and kissed her.

"We'll be back soon," he said, turning to leave.

"Hopefully with some answers," added Hercules, pulling her into a kiss as well.

'They should leave more often,' Karen thought, reeling from the two kisses.

It was late by the time the two returned. The look on their faces confirmed what Karen had said.

"Well boys, what did you discover?"

Neither one could look at her. She was starting to feel more like their mother, instead of their lover.

"You found out that he was telling the truth, didn't you. You should be ashamed of yourselves. I've a good mind to......"

Karen didn't get a chance to finish. They heard a crash from the bedroom.

Running in they saw Autolycus, trying to get up.

Karen grabbed him by the arm, steadying him, and laying him back on the bed. He tried to get up again.

"STAY!!," she snapped at him. He laid back down. "Good. Now don't try to get out of there for a while and you'll be just fine. However, try to get up before you're able, and I'll tie you to the bed. Got it?"

Autolycus nodded.

"You two stay here with him," Hercules said. "I'm going to get Jason and we'll go to Cresus. Maybe we can find the men who did this. We saw Twanky. She confirmed your story."

"Thanks for taking my word for it," Autolycus said snidely.

"Auto, you gotta admit, your story was very unlike you." Iolaus said. "And me and Herc feel bad enough for not believing you. So let it go, okay."

"Okay. But when you find out who did this to me, could you put them in traction for me?"

"It's a deal," said Hercules, and he left for Jason's.

Autolycus was dozing again, and Iolaus and Karen left him to his dreams.

They went to the other bedroom, and both flopped on the bed.

"I am tired. Very tired." said Karen.

"I think I know something that'll wake you," smiled Iolaus, running his hand over her breasts.

"You are such a pervert," Karen said with a leer.

"I know, and you wouldn't have me any other way."

Iolaus leaned in and kissed her gently. He knew this was something she enjoyed. Light kisses, his hands roving her body, undressing her. He took said hands and made sure to gently caress each part of her as he removed her clothing. By the time he was finished, she was writhing against his touch.

Iolaus removed his hands, and Karen grabbed them, pulling them to her mouth, kissing his palms, sucking on his fingers. She knew this was something HE liked.

"You...you wanna let me....um....get my.....m-m-my clothes off now?" he said, trying (but failing) to keep his voice steady, moving to a falsetto tone.

"Yeah, but make it quick," she said with an inviting smile.

He did, and moved himself so his back was against the headboard, and spread his legs, stroking himself for her. He knew what SHE liked, what got her excited. This was one of the things.

She grinned, and crawled in between his legs, running her tongue up his cock. When she got to the head, she sucked him in, causing Iolaus to gasp. She moved her head up and down, taking him as deep as she could. She tried to bring her mouth up to lick the tip, but Iolaus wasn't letting her. He took his hands and put them on her head, winding his fingers in her hair, keeping her mouth where he wanted it. She happily obliged, continuing her ministrations.

With a sudden motion he pulled her mouth off, pulling her face to his, and kissed her hard, turning her onto her back. He moved his mouth to her breasts, sucking on her nipples til she was moaning. Glancing up at her, Iolaus saw that her eyes were closed, her head thrown back, and her breathing had sped up.

It had been almost a week since that morning in the barn, and he hadn't 'played' with her since. And right now he felt a very strong urge to. So he went with his urge, knowing her mood at the moment.

'Let's see what you can take,' he thought.

Iolaus moved his mouth up to hers and ran his tongue gently along her lips. Karen moved her tongue to meet his but he pulled back, looking at her with hungry eyes. He put his tongue back, and she tried again. But he repeated his motion.

Karen looked into his eyes and saw the look that was there.

"Iolaus, not now, please. I haven't been with you all day. I need you."

Iolaus was not giving in though. He knew what he wanted. So he spoke to her in his calmest voice, knowing what that tone did to her.

"Not now??....Don't you remember what I told you? You are mine. You do what I say, when I say. No sooner, no later. Don't forget that. Understand?"

"Yes Iolaus," she answered quietly.

He stroked her hair, and cupped her chin in his hand, staring into her eyes.

"That's a good girl. Now I want to see you pleasure yourself."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Pleasure yourself. I want to watch you. I want to see you touching yourself, stroking yourself. What part of that don't you understand?"

"But Iolaus I....."

He put a finger to her lips. "Shhh. Don't talk. Just do."

"But..."

"No buts. You did it for Herc, now do it for me."

"He....".

"Yeah he told me. Said you were beautiful when you did it. Now are you going to do what I told you or not?"

Iolaus sat back giving himself a clear view of her body.

"Do it. Now." He told her.

What Karen had done for Hercules had been by choice. But Iolaus telling her to touch herself was something different. She didn't want to and she wasn't going to.

"No. I won't."

Iolaus moved back to her, stroking her face.

"Yes you will. I told you to."

"No Iolaus, I don't want to. I chose to do that for Hercules. And maybe I'll choose to do it for you. But not tonight. And I won't be told to play with myself, not by you or anybody."

"Karen, I told you..."

"No!!"

She sat up, swinging her legs over the bed, ready to get out. Iolaus grabbed her and pulled her back.

She got scared and tried to pull away from him.

And then the tears came.

"Please, Iolaus, don't make me do this. I don't want to. Please."

Iolaus looked into her eyes and saw she was afraid. This was not what he had wanted or intended. So he just held her, speaking ever so gently to her.

"Don't cry. I'm sorry baby. I didn't mean to scare you. I'd never hurt you or force you to do anything you really didn't want to do. Please stop crying."

She looked at him, into his eyes, and her tears slowly subsided.

"Iolaus, I..."

"Shhh. I love you. Let me make love to you. Just relax."

He smiled at her, a smile not of lust and passion, but of gentle love and caring, the smile of a man who would give up his soul for her if she asked him.

He began by kissing her face, moving down, stopping briefly at her breasts, and continued on til he got to her sweetness. He gently stroked his tongue along her clit, than pushed it all the way in, like a starving man. She began to thrust up at him, and when he felt her quivering, ready to cum, he picked his head up. He moved his lips up her body, and kissed her deeply, maneuvering his cock to where he knew she wanted it.

He entered her gently, his mind still feeling guilt over what he had done to her. He slowly pushed in and out, the rhythm relaxing her, til she started to push back at him, urging him on, wanting more. And Iolaus was happy to oblige.

They came together, with gentle passion, not lust, something both realized they hadn't done for quite some time.

Iolaus kissed her, caressing her face, still smiling that gentle smile.

He held her close, crooning softly into her ear.

"I'll never hurt you....never....I promise....I love you. I didn't mean to scare you. I'm sorry, so sorry."

He held her tighter, afraid that she would leave. But Karen wasn't going anywhere. She put her head on his chest, starting to doze, but she spoke briefly, her voice showing her exhaustion.

"I know Iolaus. It's okay. I love you too. I know you'd never scare me or give me fear purposely."

Her eyes were closing, and she heard him say the words again, just before she fell asleep.

"I love you."

Authors Note: We'll find out more of what happened to Autolycus next chapter. I promise.

CHAPTER TEN

Hercules and Jason arrived back from Cresus. The only thing they had been able to find out was that Autolycus had been "involved" with a married woman. But no one knew (or was saying) what had happened to Autolycus. No one seemed to care either.

Autolycus was taken aback by the fact that the woman had been married.

He explained this to them.

"Look, I'm being honest. I didn't know she was married. I may do many things, but I don't sleep with married women. That's HIM," Auto finished, pointing to Iolaus.

This sent Karen, Hercules, and Jason into a laughing fit. The three knew it was true. Iolaus had never cared about a woman's marital status.

"Alright...it's not pick on Iolaus day today, okay," the hunter said.

"Then when is?" Jason said seriously, before breaking into another laughing fit.

"Seriously," said Hercules, "If it wasn't over a woman then why? Autolycus, we've known each other a long time. You need to tell us...is there anything you've held back?"

"Who's your dance partner?" Jason asked.

"You don't know her. An old friend of mine, from childhood, okay."

"What's her name?" Jason asked, very curious now.

"Well...its...um...its..."

"Tell us," said Iolaus.

"Okay. It's Psyche. I've known her since we were kids."

"Psyche??" said Herc. "As in Cupid and Psyche??"

"Yeah, Psyche, okay. But the winged one knew about it and he didn't mind. He actually thought it was a good idea. She's been so under pressure from both Bliss and Pleasure that he agreed she needed some time to herself. And being that she always loved to dance well...."

"Okay, so its not your partner that caused this," said Hercules.

"Then who does that leave?" asked Jason.

"Wait a second," said Iolaus. "You said you hadn't stolen anything in four weeks. What exactly did you steal four weeks ago?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing??" said Hercules and Iolaus together.

"Well okay. Look I 'borrowed' some stuff from someone in Dellis."

"What did you 'borrow' and whom did you 'borrow' it from?" asked Iolaus.

"I borrowed a jewel from the King's private collection, that's all."

"A jewel from the King?" said Hercules.

"You don't think he might have gotten upset about that, do you?" asked Jason. "I know Prito. He would not take kindly to that."

"Yeah, well, I was caught before I could get it out of town. He got it back. Why beat me up?

"Because," Jason said, "Prito doesn't like thieves. I'm surprised he didn't have you executed on the spot."

"Well he tried," said Auto, "but I made it my business to get out of jail before he got around to it."

"Alright, mystery solved," said Jason. "I know Prito from when we were kids. I'll talk to him and get him to lay off you. But you stay away from Dellis in the future. I'm sure I can get him to forget about this, but if I know him, he'll have a bounty placed on your head locally."

"You don't have to worry about that," said Autolycus.

"Karen," Iolaus said, "you want to get Auto some food?"

He turned and she seemed to be in deep thought.

"Karen...KAREN!!"

She jumped. "What? What? Did I miss something?"

"No. I was just going to suggest you get more food for Autolycus. What were you thinking about?"

"Wouldn't you like to know??" she said with a small smile and walked out.

"She's gotten like that quite a few times in the last month," said Hercules.

"Wonder what's up with her?"

"I don't know, Herc," said Iolaus. "Who knows what goes on inside a woman's head?"

They wouldn't have been so surprised if they knew.

Karen had been thinking about home. Not just home, but Sharyn, and her other friends.

Not to mention TV, Pac-Man, microwave ovens, Rock 'n' Roll, and Twinkies.

And, most important, had Susan Lucci won the best actress Emmy for a daytime drama? (Well, she HAD watched All My Children for 25 years.)

She wouldn't trade what she had now for anything, but she still thought about it. Not as much as in the beginning, when she decided to come back here, but often enough.

Karen came back with some soup and bread for Autolycus.

"Judging from the way you're eating, you should be out of here in no time," she said.

"The sooner the better," said Iolaus with a grin to Auto.

"Well, I've got to get going," said Jason. "I'm going to see Prito and then on to Iphicles. I promised Hyllus I'd take him sailing for a belated birthday present."

Jason said good night to the guys and turned to Karen.

He kissed her on the cheek and said "Keep them out of trouble."

"Don't I always?" she said with a smile, and he was off.

Karen looked over at Autolycus.

"Okay, King of Thieves, you still need some rest. We don't want any more headaches and blurry vision do we?"

"No mom, we don't. I'll take a nap. I promise."

"Okay. As long as you promise."

And the three walked out, leaving Auto to get some rest.

"I need a bath," Karen said, stretching.

She got a whiff of her underarm and grimaced. "I smell like something the cat dragged in, chewed up, and spit out. I need to invent deodorant, that's what I need to do."

"Deodorant?" asked Herc.

"Never mind," she said, grabbing a towel and heading out to the stream.

As soon as she was gone, the two men grinned at each other. The looks on their faces showed they had been planning something.

"You grab a couple of blankets, and I'll get two flasks of wine," Iolaus said, smiling at Hercules.

"Two flasks?? Iolaus, I don't know. I want her relaxed, not drunk."

"Don't worry Herc. She'll be fine. Trust me. Besides, both flasks aren't for her you know. There are three of us."

He looked at Hercules, his eyes moving up the demigods body.

"Well, maybe three and a half," he said with a giggle.

"Okay, but I sure hope you know what you're doing."

"I said don't worry," said Iolaus, grabbing the flasks. "I met her one year ago today. I wanna celebrate. And I want you there too."

Iolaus grabbed the demigod, and pulled him down into a deep kiss, moving his tongue against Hercules', sucking on it. It had been too long since he had spent any time with his other lover. He had begun to forget what it was like to kiss that strong tongue, and to have Herc's arms holding him.

Hercules broke the kiss, albeit reluctantly.

Herc took a deep breath before he spoke.

"You do that again, and we won't make it down to the stream. In fact, I don't think we'll make it out of this room."

"Why Hercules," Iolaus said sweetly, running his hand along the demigods chest, tweaking a nipple beneath his shirt. "I didn't know you were that kind of god." He pulled Herc into another deep kiss, giggled, and walked out, heading to the stream, leaving a bemused Hercules to follow.

Arriving at the stream they settled themselves behind some trees, just out of Karen's view and watched her while she bathed. Sharing a flask of wine, they felt like two schoolboy's viewing a forbidden sight. They continued to watch as she came out of the stream, spreading the towel, and laying down. And Iolaus' eyes went wide when he saw what she was doing.

"Herc," he said in a whisper, his voice rising a few octaves.

"What??!," he replied, a bit annoyed. He was enjoying the view.

"Is that how she looked that night? When she touched herself for you?"

Herc didn't answer him, but his breathing had gotten deeper, and more rapid. Iolaus then noticed that Herc had removed his boots and pants and was fumbling with his breechclout.

"Need some help?" Iolaus said quietly.

Not waiting for an answer, he kneeled down in front of Hercules and proceeded to assist him. When he got Herc's breechclout off, he moved his tongue over Herc's cock, tasting all eight inches of it, from tip to base and back again. The musky scent of the demigod made him dizzy. It had definitely been too long.

Hercules removed his shirt, and sat down against a tree, pulling Iolaus down with him. They both still had a clear view of Karen, who was gently and slowly bringing herself off. He pulled Iolaus up so that their lips met, and gave him a kiss, so gentle, so deep, that Iolaus thought he was flying.

When Hercules broke the kiss, he reached for Iolaus shirt and pulled it off, running his hands along his chest, following with his tongue.

Hercules had also missed the touch of his other lover.

Iolaus managed somehow to not only kick off his boots, but to get his belts undone, and to pull his pants off. How, he had no idea. Between the view of Karen, and the scent of Hercules, his brain was in a fog. And now Hercules mouth was on his nipples, sucking and nipping one, then the other. It took all of Iolaus' will not to shout from the ecstasy he was feeling.

Sensing this, Hercules pulled the hunter's mouth to his, roughly kissing him, his tongue taking possession of Iolaus' mouth.

The hunter broke the kiss, moving his mouth down the demigods chest, sucking each nipple for a few moments, before continuing down to Herc's cock, something he hadn't had in over a month. He took it all the way down his throat in one swoop, and Hercules had to bite his lip to stop moaning out loud.

Hercules shifted so that not only could he and Iolaus see Karen, but also so that he could get a clear view of Iolaus' mouth on his shaft. Iolaus was deep throating him, running his tongue along the base, and Herc's breathing was becoming more rapid. Herc picked up the flask, but it was empty, so he started the second one, taking a long drink, while his eyes went from Karen to Iolaus and back.

He was close to completion and he wanted to be sheathed in his 'home', so he gently removed Iolaus mouth, bringing it to his lips for a deep kiss, and turned Iolaus over.

Iolaus moved onto his knees, his need to be filled by Hercules just as great as the demigod needing to be inside him.

His cock lubricated from Iolaus' mouth, he touched it to the hunter's tight hole, massaging his cheeks, spreading them, and pushed in. He knew Iolaus well enough to know that Iolaus would cry out from the pleasure of penetration, so he put his lips on his lover's, preventing that.

Herc began with a slow glide in and out, enjoying the warmth he hadn't felt in so long. It only took a few seconds before Iolaus began to thrust back at him, wanting it harder. Words were unnecessary. Each knew what the other liked, and knew what the other wanted. Hercules obliged his lover, thrusting in and out, hard and deep. He reached around and grabbed Iolaus cock, wrapping his hand around it, moving it in time with his thrusts. Iolaus took his hand and moved it over Hercules, and together they came, quietly, not wanting to disturb the lovely sight by the stream.

Iolaus turned for a kiss, and the demigod gently pulled out of him, rolling over and taking another pull off the flask.

Iolaus took the flask from Hercules and realized it was empty.

"Where's the other one," he whispered.

"That was it," replied Hercules, wearing a goofy grin.

"Oh great. I'm thirsty. What am I supposed to drink?"

Herc's eyes moved to the woman by the water. They could see Karen was nearly at orgasm, her head thrown back, and her hands playing upon herself more rapidly. The two men looked at each other, and silently came over to her. So deep was she in her own pleasures that she didn't hear them.

But when Iolaus leaned down and kissed her, he found himself on his back, with Karen's fist on his throat, cutting off his oxygen.

"Could you not kill me just yet?" Iolaus said in a hoarse whisper.

She let him go and said "Iolaus, do you have a death wish? What are you doing sneaking up on me like that?"

"Actually we have a different kind of wish," she heard Herc say from behind her.

She turned and saw him, with the most lopsided grin she'd ever seen.

She turned back to Iolaus.

"He's drunk, isn't he?"

"Not drunk," answered Iolaus. "just mildly tipsy."

"Yeah," replied Herc, slurring his words, "what he said."

"He's drunk," she giggled.

"Yeah well okay," said Iolaus, smiling at her, "he's drunk."

"What are you two doing out here anyway?" Karen asked.

Then she noticed they were both naked.

"Never mind. I already know. But how did he get 'tipsy'?"

"Well," Iolaus said, blushing slightly, "it's been one year since I met you, and I wanted us three to celebrate. So we brought two flasks of wine down to share. But then Herc and me saw you, and we got 'busy', and before I knew it, he had finished both flasks."

Karen giggled and moved beside Hercules.

"A drunk demigod. Oh boy. Do you think you can still 'work'?"

"I think so," he said, and pulled her into his lap, facing her, and kissing her, his cock rubbing against her wetness.

"Yeah, you still 'work'."

Iolaus, in the meanwhile, had moved behind her, and his hands were roaming her back, his lips kissing her neck, and she was feeling things along the same lines as they had before. It had been too long since she had shared both her lovers at the same time. It felt good.

Hercules was hard, and he lifted Karen gently, sitting her on his cock, and began the slow motion of moving her up and down his shaft.

Iolaus moved around so she could see him, and began stroking himself, while looking into her eyes. Karen's eyes moved down to his hardness, and she reached out with her hand to help him out. He moved closer and put his cock to her lips, grabbing her hair, and began to fuck her mouth. Hercules brought his mouth up, and his tongue played with Iolaus' balls, sucking them in one at a time.

When Herc felt Iolaus start to shudder, he knew Iolaus was close. His eyes motioned the hunter out of Karen's mouth, and he lay flat, pulling Karen on top of him, continuing his hard strokes into her wetness.

Iolaus moved around and put his cock up to her tight ass, and he spread her cheeks, pushing his cock in slowly, barely moving. Karen began to thrust back at him, but he was going to take his time, and enjoy each pleasured moment.

Karen had forgotten the pleasures of both men inside of her, and she wanted Iolaus deeper, wanted to feel his cock rubbing against Hercules. But Iolaus was still taking his sweet time, so she knew she needed to urge him on.

Pushing back at him hard she started talking to him, her voice filled with lust.

"Iolaus, show me how much you want me. Fuck me harder, feel Herc's cock in me, give it to me...now baby...please...harder...deeper...oh yes...Yes...YES!!!"

Iolaus came inside of her ass, and upon feeling his spill, she came, followed by Hercules.

Iolaus moved out of her, and came around to kiss her, then kissing Hercules.

She rolled off of Hercules, and looked down at the demigod. He had passed out.

"Well," she said, "somebody needs to get back to Auto and someone needs to stay here with him."

"What do you want to do?" Iolaus asked, kissing her.

"You guys haven't spent much time together lately, so you lay here with him for the night. I'll go back to the house. And I'll be waiting for you in the morning."

She kissed him again, and walked off to the house, leaving Iolaus sleeping in the arms of *THEIR* demigod.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

It had been ten days since Autolycus had shown up at Iolaus door. He was feeling much better. He hadn't had a headache in two days, and his vision was staying clear. Iolaus had tried to convince him that it was okay to stay, that he had plenty of room, but Autolycus declined.

The fact of the matter was that he had started to notice Karen. In a way that would get him killed by Iolaus, not to mention Hercules. When he had first met her he had wondered what Iolaus saw in her. He had seen the women Iolaus had had, and Karen didn't fit the bill. She wasn't as beautiful as the women he had seen Iolaus with, nor did she have a body to kill for, another thing Iolaus always had in a woman. But he knew now.

She was intelligent, and had a sharp wit. Not to mention having a knack of keeping Iolaus and Hercules in line. He had laughed the first time he heard her give them orders, but as time passed, he understood why they listened. He had begun to listen to her too.

Her sense of humor was quite sharp too. She had, at one point, caused him to pee in his pants. She was also quite good with weapons, taking Iolaus down with her sword, and knocking Hercules on his ass. (He did notice, however, that she opened her shirt and flashed the demigod before she took him down.)

But he knew it was time to leave. He'd see her again, he knew that, and maybe.....well he put that thought out of his head. For now.

"You know you could stay longer Auto," said Iolaus.

"Yeah, well Iolaus, there's things to do, people to see, that kind of stuff. You know how it is. I don't want to overstay my welcome."

"You're welcome to come back anytime, you know."

"I know Iolaus, thanks. Nice to have a place to come to. You take care of your lady. She's very special. I really wanted to.....," he stopped there, feeling his face turn red.

"I know," Iolaus said. He was well aware of the effect Karen had had on him.

"She's a good woman Iolaus," he said smiling. "You three (he grinned big at this word) make a good couple."

He mounted his horse. Herc and Iolaus had both agreed that Autolycus shouldn't be walking too much. Even tho his head wound was healed, they were concerned. So they gave him one of Jason's horses.

He gave a last wave and took off. And Iolaus went back into the house.

Walking into his room, he leaned against the door, and smiled at the sight before him. Both his lovers, laying there, naked, their arms wrapped around each other. He was half tempted to wake them up, but after last night, he figured they needed rest. Turning to leave, he heard a soft voice call him back. It was Hercules.

"Auto gone?"

"Yeah, he just left. You sleep okay?"

"Sleep?" the demigod gave him a smile, still whispering. "With her? Iolaus that woman puts even you to shame with her wants. I swear to you, one more time and I would have collapsed."

He walked over to the bed, sitting next to Hercules.

"You and me both, big guy. I don't know. Maybe she's trying to kill us."

They saw Karen starting to move.

"Should we leave her to sleep, Herc or do we wake her?"

"I think we should let her sleep for a little while longer," Herc said, smiling at Iolaus. He reached for the hunter and pulled him down for a deep kiss.

Iolaus wound his hand in Hercules long hair, pulling him deeper into the kiss.

When they parted, both men were breathing hard, and they heard a drowsy voice next to them.

"You know, for two guys who wanted to let me sleep, you're not doing a real good job of it."

Iolaus took Hercules by the arm, and pulled him up.

"C'mon big guy, let the lady sleep. We can go in the other room."

Karen grabbed Herc by the other arm, pulling him back down.

"Plenty of room here," she said smiling, "room enough for all."

Iolaus started to giggle. "You know, I don't think I'm gonna survive any more of this."

Karen giggled also. "Contrary to what you seem to think, I'm not trying to kill you."

"Not yet," said Iolaus, who was now on the bed, laying beside Karen.

She turned to face him. "Now you look here, 'Mr. I-can-keep-this-up-all-night.' One more word out of you and you're gonna find that your hand is your best friend. Right Herc?"

Herc smiled at her. And she smiled back.

"I guess you want your hand to be your buddy too, huh."

"No...not me...not at all.....he said it....I'm just an innocent party."

"Gee thanks buddy," Iolaus said, with mock indignation. "So much for a lifetime friendship. I know when I'm not wanted."

He got up and started to walk toward the door, but a strong hand grabbed him and flipped him onto the bed.

"Shut up Iolaus," said Herc, planting a kiss on the hunter's lips, his tongue playing in Iolaus' mouth.

While he did this, Karen undid his pants and removed them.

When Herc broke the kiss, Karen took over. They played like this for a few minutes, til Karen decided that she wanted something more.

Reaching down, she grabbed Hercules' cock, and started to play, stroking him gently, getting him hard, while her mouth went to his, meeting in a deep kiss. Then she stopped, turned and did the same to Iolaus. Then she really got nasty.

She nonchalantly got out of bed, leaving the two men staring at her.

"I'm gonna cook some breakfast," she said simply, and left the room for the kitchen.

Both men stared at the door til they realized what she had said.

"Cook??" "Breakfast??" "Oh no!!"

And both men leapt out of bed. They did not want another fire. Jason had tried to teach Karen some basic cooking techniques and she had repaid him by setting fire to his kitchen. It had taken four days to get the smell of burnt stuff out of there. They had never seen anyone who had a knack for doing that.

When they got to the doorway, Karen was there, a big smile on her face.

"Fooled ya didn't I??"

Hercules picked her up and threw her on the bed, jumping on after her.

"It's not nice to fool a demigod," he said, and began to tickle her.

Iolaus joined in, and they were all laughing within seconds.

"Okay, okay," she said, "No more cooking jokes."

"Promise?" asked Iolaus.

She paused, brought her lips to his and said one word.

"Nope." And the tickling started again.

"Okay, no more jokes. I promise. Just stop tickling me." And she burst into another round of giggles.

"Herc, think we should stop??"

The demigod smiled.

"Actually, maybe we should get some more promises out of her first."

Iolaus nodded.

"No more trying to wash clothes." Iolaus still couldn't figure how she had shrunk two of his shirts, a pair of pants, and 'disintegrated' three of his breechclouts.

"No more spices in food that's being cooked" Hercules mouth still burned when he thought about the pepper she had put in some soup. ("It needed a little flavor," she had said. It was hours before the two men could feel their tongues again.)

"No more....."

"Okay, I get the idea. I won't do anything without asking permission, okay?"

"Okay," the men agreed, even tho they knew she would.

Love was funny, and life was good.

"What now?" Iolaus asked Hercules, a leer moving across his face.

"I don't know Iolaus. Let me think about it."

"I know what I'd like," said Karen.

Iolaus kissed her, and smiled.

"And what would you like, my sweet?"

She gave the two of them a goofy grin.

"I wanna watch you. The two of you. Giving to each other. And I don't think I need to elaborate."

"What?" asked Herc, raising an eyebrow.

She spoke, her voice low, looking from one to the other.

"You heard me. The two of you have watched the other with me enough, and now I wanna watch. I haven't seen you together in quite some time. It would please me. And if you do good, well, maybe I'll be good and help you out. But first, I wanna watch."

"You heard the lady Herc," said Iolaus, a big grin now on his face. "She want's to watch."

He grabbed Hercules and pulled the demigods mouth to his, kissing him hard, plunging his tongue deep into Herc's mouth.

Hercules, never one to refuse Iolaus, wound his arms around the hunter, giving in to the kiss.

Karen moved to a chair and sat back, as if she were watching a movie.

Iolaus lay Herc down, and began to kiss him, starting at his mouth, and moving down the demigod's body, til he reached his (already) hard cock.

Tempted to take it in at once, he paused, and glanced over at Karen, as if waiting for her okay.

She got the message and gave him a smile.

She answered his look with words, which sounded like orders, which, in a sense, they were.

"Go slow Iolaus. Lick him....slowly. I want to see your tongue taste every inch of him. Play with his nipples too. I wanna watch him squirm."

Iolaus nodded to her, and proceeded to do what she said.

Licking the demigod from base to head, and back, he put his hands on Herc's nipples, taking them between his thumb and forefinger, and squeezing them, causing Herc to yelp.

Karen spoke again, this time her voice a little louder.

"Take his cock in your mouth Iolaus, but DON"T take your hands off his nipples."

Hercules threw his head back onto the pillow and moaned. He didn't know what was getting him more excited. What Iolaus was doing to him, or Karen's voice, telling Iolaus what to do.

All he knew for sure was that he was very aroused.

Karen spoke again, with a seductive tone in her voice.

"Turn over Herc. I wanna watch Iolaus take you. And Iolaus, take him slow. I want to hear him begging for you."

The two men did as she said.

While Herc lay on his stomach, Iolaus played with his ass, massaging and spreading the demigod, ready to do whatever Karen told him.

Karen got up, picked up a jar of oil, unstoppered it, and handed it to Iolaus. Then she sat back down.

"You know what to do Iolaus," she said, moving her eyes over the two men in front of her.

Iolaus poured some in his hands, using one hand to oil his cock, and the other began to play at Herc's cheeks. He slipped two fingers in, causing Herc to jump in surprise, and used them to fuck the demigod, spreading him for the pleasure that was to come.

Karen splayed her legs over the arms of the chair, in full view of them, and began to play with herself. She spread her lips, giving them both a clear view of her clit, and used a finger to play with it while they watched. She was also watching them, and she gave Iolaus another order.

"Put your cock at his ass, Iolaus. Don't put it in, just move it gently. Oh, and Herc, don't push yourself at him. Let him do what I said. I don't want this rushed."

Herc obeyed, but he didn't know how long he'd be able to. Iolaus' cock was rubbing along the crack of his ass, and he was fighting (and slowly losing) the battle against pushing back. He wanted Iolaus inside of him. He didn't want to wait.

Karen's eyes met Herc's and, seeing the look on his face, grinned at him. Iolaus continued to tease him, waiting for Karen to give him more instructions. She didn't tho. She was having too good a time watching this.

She was waiting for the demigod to beg. Only then would she 'allow' Iolaus to fuck him. It didn't take long.

She heard Hercules' voice, asking what she wanted to hear.

"Let him fuck me. Please. I can't wait anymore. Please...please...."

Herc's voice was filled with such desperation that she gave in, albeit sooner then she wanted to.

"Go ahead Iolaus. Fuck him now. Give it to him hard."

Which is exactly what Iolaus did. He had been just as desperate to give as Herc was to receive.

Spreading Hercules, he thrust his cock in, and, urging Herc onto his knees, he began to pound into him, holding Hercules steady, his hands on the demigods hips.

Hercules was moaning.

"Oh yes Iolaus...yes...fuck me....oh yeah, give it to me...deeper....faster...IOLAUS PLEASE!!!! HARDER...MORE!!!"

Hearing this, Karen decided enough was enough and she got off the chair, coming on to the bed, so that her mouth was at Herc's rear.

Continuing to pleasure herself with one hand, she used the other, to play with Iolaus' balls, and put her tongue against Hercules' ass, licking Iolaus every time he pulled out.

Herc looked back, and seeing and feeling this at the same time was causing him to meet Iolaus thrusts with his own.

"I'm close...yeah...I'm gonna cum...oh yeah..."

Karen took her hand off Iolaus and moved it to Herc's cock, and began to play with him, matching Iolaus' movements.

She moved her mouth to his ear, sticking her tongue in and whispering to him.

"Feel good Herc?? Yeah it does doesn't it. His cock inside you. My hand on you.

You want to cum Herc??? Say it...I want to hear you say it."

Herc's eyes were closed, his body caught up in the sensation. He found his voice.

"I want to cum. Yes I want to cum. Oh yesssss."

Herc came all over Karen's hand, and, in full view of the two, she began to lick her hand, sucking on her fingers, her tongue tasting every bit of the demigod.

Watching this caused Iolaus to thrust harder. He felt his release coming, and pulled out of Hercules, spilling his seed on the demigods ass.

Iolaus' eyes met Karen's and they both moved their tongues over Herc's ass, licking up Iolaus' cum.

When they had cleaned him, something occurred to Iolaus.

"You didn't cum did you baby?" he asked Karen.

"Doesn't matter Iolaus," she replied.

"It does to me," he answered.

He pushed her onto her back and moved in between her legs.

Spreading her, he began a slow lick of her clit, while Herc moved to her mouth and began to kiss her.

Iolaus gave her what he knew she liked best. His tongue, fucking her.

Hercules, still kissing her, put his hands over her breasts, and began a slow caress which was causing her to moan.

Both men loved to make her moan. They just loved giving her pleasure. And right now they were doing a damn good job of it.

Iolaus knew she was close, moved his tongue back to her clit, and sucked on it, while his fingers began to fuck her.

Between Iolaus in between her legs, and Hercules at her breasts, she began to thrust up with a fury.

Herc began to whisper in her ear, his hot breath causing her more pleasure.

"You're close....aren't you...yeah...feels good doesn't it....real good....cum, Karen, cum for Iolaus...cum for me...."

Herc put his mouth back over hers, taking her breath away. She was panting, and moaning, and she gave one last violent thrust and came, collapsing in Herc's arms.

She looked at Herc and he was smiling at her. She wondered what changed men between this era and her own time. These two men were just as concerned with her receiving pleasure as they were in getting it.

Iolaus moved beside her, kissing her, so happy within himself that he made her feel good.

He grinned at Herc.

"I'm beat," he said.

"I'm exhausted," Herc replied.

"I want more," Karen said with a smile.

"More?" asked Iolaus, amazed that she had any strength left. He certainly didn't. And he knew Herc didn't either.

"How could you possibly have energy for more?"

"I don't know," she replied. "But I do."

"Well it's going to have to wait," Iolaus said, kissing her again.

Karen looked at Hercules.

"Well demigod. You exhausted too, or you want to play some more?"

"Later," Herc said. "I need some rest."

Herc held her tightly in his arms, and kissed her gently.

"I think you need some rest too."

Karen gave him a big grin. "Oh you do, do you?"

"Yeah, I do. You are staying here with us and getting some."

She looked to Iolaus for 'help', but the hunter was already asleep.

She glanced at Hercules, still holding her tight, and she smiled.

The demigod was asleep also.

'So much for more playtime,' she thought to herself, and joined them in their slumber.

Chapter Disclaimer: Thanks to Karen's kitchen fiasco, Jason invented the oven mitt.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Iolaus woke, expecting to find Karen in between him and Hercules. All he found was Hercules.

Going into the kitchen he still didn't see her, and he started to worry. She didn't go off anywhere without telling either him or Herc.

Then he saw the note on the wall. (Stuck in with his hunting knife.)

'Didn't want to wake you. Went to town. Back later. Iolaus m'love, don't worry. NOBODY is going to kidnap me. And Herc, I promise not to get into any fights. Well I promise to TRY to avoid them. Love you both. Karen.'

Iolaus went back to the bedroom, stomping around, and got dressed. The noise, however, woke the sleeping demigod.

"Iolaus, what are you doing? Come back to bed."

"Herc, Karen's gone. I'm going after her."

Hercules jumped up, and joined Iolaus in getting dressed.

"What happened?? Ares again? I didn't think we'd have to worry about him after he brought her back here."

"No. She went into town."

Herc stopped getting dressed, sighed, and got back into bed.

"Is that all? Come back to bed Iolaus. Karen will be fine."

"Yeah, that's easy for YOU to say. The last time she was on the loose she brought Autolycus home."

The demigod smiled. He knew how Iolaus got when she went off on her own.

"Why are you going after her Iolaus? She's a big girl. If you show up, she's going to think you don't trust her, and it's going to piss her off."

"What do you want me to do Herc? I can't help being concerned. She attracts trouble like...like..."

"Like you do," Herc finished for him. "Alright, I see your point. Let's go."

Herc got dressed and he and Iolaus headed to town.

Anyone listening to them would have thought them two devious, love-struck teenage boys.

Hercules was a bit wary of spying on Karen.

"Iolaus, maybe we should stay out of sight. We can keep an eye on her, and she won't know. I don't feel like sleeping without her for the next two months and I know you certainly don't. She spots us and that's what's going to happen."

Iolaus agreed.

"Okay. We stay out of sight. But any trouble and I'm gonna bust heads. Deal?"

"It's a deal," said Herc. "Wait a second! What am I saying?! No, Iolaus, no busting heads. Let Karen deal with anything that comes up. If she can't we'll help her out. Okay?"

"But Herc, what do we...."

Hercules stopped, turned, grabbed Iolaus by the vest, and lifted him off the ground, so they were face to face.

"Listen up Iolaus. You pull ANY crap and I am going to beat you senseless. Okay?"

"Okay Herc. Now can you put me down?"

"I mean it Iolaus."

"I said okay. Now will you please put me down."

Herc put him down, giving Iolaus a look that promised untold pain if Iolaus did something he shouldn't.

Iolaus, (his libido acting up as it usually did when Herc got 'rough'), gave Hercules a look that promised untold pleasure, and wandered off the path, looking back at the demigod with a salacious grin.

Hercules followed the hunter, wearing the same grin.

They in turn were followed by two women, who had been watching them.

"I knew they'd come checking up on me," Karen said with a big grin.

Gabrielle giggled. The two women had finished one flask of wine and were in the middle of number two.

Gabrielle was in Thebes to visit with Karen and the boys. Xena was in Amphipolis with Cyrene, who had broken her leg. So they decided some 'down-time' was in order. Having visited Poteidaia with Xena the previous month, she decided to come visit her fellow bard, and friend. Not that seeing Herc and Iolaus was a bad thing.

Karen had decided to get some wine, but walking back with Gabrielle, they had gotten thirsty. So they shared a flask. Which, as the walk led on, and it was hot out, led to another flask. Both were now past tipsy, bordering on drunk. And both were gigglers.

They quietly followed the two men into the brush, which let out to a tree-lined lake. They were able to settle themselves out of sight of the two men, yet they had a clear view.

"Okay, now we wait," giggled Karen.

"Wait for what?" asked Gabrielle.

"What do you think?"

Gabby blushed.

"You mean we're gonna watch 'em.....you know..."

"Fucking, Gabby, fucking. You've never seen two men giving pleasure to each other, have you?"

"No," the bard giggled. "I've been with Xena, but we're women. It just seems different."

"Well of course it's different Gabby," Karen said softly, trying hard to stop giggling. "They're MEN. Like I should talk anyway. I never saw two men til those two."

They giggled again, then Karen shushed Gabrielle.

"We don't want 'em to hear us, do we?"

Gabby shook her head, with a smile.

They sat quiet, and were not only able to see the two men, but hear them as well.

They watched as Iolaus grabbed Herc by the shirt and pulled him into a deep kiss, then tripped him so Herc was on the ground, on his back. Iolaus sat on Herc's chest, pulled off his shirt and began to tease the demigods nipples.

"Iolaus, I thought you wanted to keep an eye on Karen?"

"Shut up and kiss me."

They brought their lips together in hunger, Iolaus undoing Herc's belts. Iolaus broke the kiss, to pull off Herc's boot's and pant's, then stood, slowly stripping for the demigod. When he was naked he spread the demigods legs, kneeling in between them, running his tongue over Herc's nipples, and then began a slow move down Herc's body til he reached his cock.

He flicked out his tongue and gently licked the head, slowly moving his mouth over the rest of Herc's erection, til he was deep throating him, causing Hercules to groan with pleasure.

Iolaus removed his mouth and spoke to Herc, his voice low and seductive.

"You like it Herc? Yeah you do. My tongue on your cock, tasting it, touching it."

Before Herc could answer Iolaus put his mouth back, this time alternating between licking gently and sucking hard. The demigod was in the throes of an orgasm before he knew what was happening.

Iolaus removed his mouth, licked his lips and kissed the demigod, leering at him.

"Too quick Herc. You really gotta learn some control."

"I need to learn control Iolaus??" Herc said, raising an eyebrow and grinning at him. "Let's see how you do."

Hercules rolled them over so he was now on top of Iolaus. Moving with the same motions as Iolaus had, he took each nipple in his mouth, gently biting. Iolaus eyes were closed and his hands were tangled in the demigods hair, keeping Herc's head right there, on his chest.

Iolaus began to moan, his breaths coming quicker.

"Oh Herc...yeah...so good....such sweet pain....more Herc...more....ohhhh."

Hercules managed to disentangle Iolaus' hands and moved his mouth further down. He avoided Iolaus cock, instead moving his tongue to Iolaus inner thighs, kissing and nipping, leaving little lovers marks along his skin. Herc then turned his tongue on the hunter's balls, taking each one into his mouth, sucking and licking ever so lightly.

Iolaus was moaning louder now.

"Hercules, please....I can't take much more...if you wanna kill me there are quicker ways.....OH HERC....now...pleeeaaassse...."

Seeing what he was doing to the hunter made him even more excited. Hercules loved to make him beg. But enough for now. Hercules wanted release as much as Iolaus did.

He moved his tongue over the hunter's cock, gently sucking on the head, licking the slit, and running his tongue up and down, barely touching. Then he took it all in, so quickly that Iolaus gasped.

In the meantime, Karen and Gabrielle had gotten very excited watching them. They turned to each other and both knew what was on the other's mind.

Gabby reached out and pulled Karen's mouth to hers and Karen didn't resist. Their tongues played in each other's mouths as their hands wandered each other's bodies. Slowly removing each other's clothing, they began to explore, hands moving over the other, finding out what the other liked.

Karen was the more aggressive of the two. Pushing Gabby onto her back, Karen moved in between her legs, spreading the soft folds of her wetness, and dipped her tongue in, sucking on Gabby's clit, while her fingers played within Gabby's womanhood. The bard tasted sweeter than sweet. She moved her tongue into Gabby, and the bard had to bite her lip to keep from crying out.

Smiling, Karen moved out of her and started to lick and suck along Gab's thighs, then moved up and began a ravishment of her breasts, sucking on her nipples til they were standing erect. She laid atop Gabrielle and they moved with each other, clits rubbing, tongues meeting, til they both reached orgasm.

Forgetting about Herc and Iolaus, both women shouted out their completion, then remembered the two men (who had since brought each other immense pleasure). It was too late though. They heard Iolaus' voice.

"Hey Karen. Yeah I know it's you. Come on out. I apologize for following you. Really. Herc does too."

Karen and Gabby were giggling, more so when they heard Hercules' voice, talking to Iolaus.

"Why do I have to apologize. This was YOUR idea. I said leave her be, but YOU insisted we follow her." Then he yelled out to Karen.

"Iolaus made me do it. I didn't want to. It was his idea. I don't want to suffer for something HE did."

"Shut up Hercules. You know you wanted to follow her as much as me."

"I did not." "You did too."

"Did not!!" "Did too!!"

Karen came out of hiding, Gabrielle behind her. Both were naked.

"Will you guy's shut up. I feel like I'm in the middle of a Looney Tune. Bugs and Elmer arguing."

"Who?" three voices asked.

"Never mind," said Karen. "Now you two promised you'd stop and let me have some freedom. I don't do very much. I went to town ONCE by myself. Anywhere else I go I let one (or both) of you go with me, just to shut you up. Now would either one of you care to tell me why you're here? Other than the obvious reason. And NO bullshit."

Iolaus spoke, but he couldn't look her in the eyes.

"It was my fault. I was worried. I'm sorry."

Karen knelt down beside Iolaus, and kissed him on the cheek, smiling.

"You really worried about me?"

Iolaus moved away from her as he answered.

"Yeah. And WHAT have you been drinking? You smell like a tavern on Saturday night."

"Just a little wine," Karen said, her words slurring, and she and Gabby started giggling again.

"You're drunk," Hercules said.

"I wonder why they say he's dense?" said Gabrielle, eyes wide.

"You're naked!," said Iolaus.

"He's a smart one isn't he?" Karen said with a very serious face, and she and Gabby burst into fresh giggles. "You're naked too you know."

Hercules looked down at himself and blushed, grabbing his shirt to cover himself. Iolaus couldn't have cared less.

"Ya know Herkie," Karen said grinning, "That shirt don't cover much."

"She's right you know," Gabby said, staring at the shirt, and what Herc was trying to hide. "It doesn't cover very much."

"What are you doing here?" asked Iolaus, smiling at the bard.

"Cyrene busted her leg, Xena said we needed a vacation, so I came here."

"I see," said Iolaus. He looked at Herc. "They're right 'Herkie'. That shirt covers nothing." And he snatched it from the demigod, running to the lake.

Herc went running after him. "Iolaus give me my shirt."

"No," said Iolaus. "You want it, you have to take it from me."

Herc reached out for it, but Iolaus was to quick for him and he missed.

"Getting old Herc? There was a time you would've got it."

"Do they always act like this?" Gabby asked Karen.

"Yeah. Sometimes I feel like a parent with two bratty kids."

"Should we go play too?" Gabby asked.

"Sounds like fun," Karen said, and the two women ran after them.

Herc managed to grab his shirt from Iolaus, but Karen snatched it out of his hands. When he reached for it, she threw it to Gabby, who, when Herc reached for it, threw it in the lake.

"Oh Herkie," said Karen, "your shirts all wet now. Looks like you'll have to stay as you are."

"I think he looks real nice," said Gabrielle, looking the demigod up and down.

"He does doesn't he," said Karen, looking at the demigod with a leer.

"I gotta agree with them Herc," said Iolaus. "You do look real nice like that."

The three looked at each other, and they knew they were all thinking the same thing. And so did the demigod, who moved back away from them.

"Now look," began Hercules, "I know what you're thinking. The answer is no.

You hear me. No."

But the three weren't listening. They advanced on the demigod, all looking at him as if he were a piece of meat.

Karen and Gabrielle moved fast, each grabbing a leg, and he lost his balance, falling on his ass. They pushed him onto his back and started to kiss him, Karen's tongue deep in his mouth, Gabrielle's moving from one nipple to the other.

Any attempt he might have made to get up was stopped by Iolaus straddling his legs, moving his fingertips gently over Herc's thighs. The demigod forgot all about not wanting this and was quickly lost in the sensations.

Karen removed her tongue from Herc's mouth and joined Gabby at his nipples.

He started to groan from the feelings he was getting. The two women's eyes met, and they moved their mouths down to his hardness, both giving him a grin, before they put their tongues on it, licking him all over, from top to bottom and back. Every time they reached the head, they gently licked his slit, and both blew on it, the coolness of their breath giving him greater sensations.

Karen, leaving Gabby to the demigod for the moment, moved her attention to Iolaus, now kneeling between Herc's legs, stroking himself, getting hard again. She looked up at him and began to lick his cock, her eyes not leaving his. He knew what she wanted, and he was very happy to give it to her. Grabbing her by the hair he pushed his shaft into her mouth, and started to fuck her, getting more excited as he watched what Gabrielle was doing to Herc, and the look on Herc's face. Pure pleasure.

While Iolaus fucked Karen's mouth, his hands went to Gabby's sweet pussy, and he fucked her with his fingers for a few moments, then removed them. She looked at him, wondering why he stopped then saw what he was doing. Taking one finger, he pushed it into Herc's ass, and began to fuck the demigod. Two more fingers followed, and Herc was in rapturous delight. Iolaus removed Karen's mouth from his cock, and moved his hardness to Herc. He wanted to be one with the demigod right now, and he wanted the two women to watch.

Iolaus plunged into Hercules in one move, causing the demigod to yelp from the sudden entrance. He lifted the demigods legs so they were over his shoulders and began to fuck him hard. Hercules hand moved to his cock, but Karen pushed it out of the way, and she and Gabrielle went back to licking him, taking turns sucking on him, and using their fingers to give him more pleasure.

Iolaus spoke to the women, his voice gritty and hard.

"He likes it you know. Ask him. He'll tell you. Go ahead."

Gabby moved her mouth to his ear, pushing her tongue in, whispering to him.

"Do you like it Hercules? Does Iolaus make you feel good?"

Her eyes met Karen's, who smiled at her.

"Does Karen feel good too? How about me Hercules? Do you want my tongue to join Karen's?"

Not waiting for an answer, Gabrielle moved her tongue back with Karen's.

Iolaus was moving faster now, knowing Hercules was close.

"Oh yeah Herc...you're so tight...so good....cum for me Herc....cum WITH me...oh yeah...now Herc...NOW!!"

Iolaus shot his load into Hercules, and the demigod came all over Karen and Gabby, who were each in the thrall of their own orgasms. They licked him clean, and while Herc and Iolaus watched they kissed each other, their tongues licking Herc's cum off of their faces, both in ecstasy.

"That was fun," said Karen, kissing Gabby one last time. "Did you like it Gabby? I told you, nothing like watching men make love, except maybe joining in."

"Oh yeah," said the bard, a big smile on her face. "Think we can do it again?"

"I think so," said Karen, and they both moved their tongues back to Herc's cock, which was starting to grow erect again.

Karen looked up at Iolaus.

"Still got energy baby?" she asked him with a big grin.

"Oh yeah," replied the hunter with a smile.

And they started all over again.

Authors Note: Bugs and Elmer belong to Warner Bros. (and their sister Dot) (but their voices belong to the late great Mel Blanc).

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"Iolaus, you gotta stop. You're going to wear your boots out."

Hercules had been watching his friend pace for over an hour.

"I go to Cresus with Jason for three days. I come back, she's not here. How could you let her go off? Something happened, I know it, I just know it. I just can't believe that you let her...."

Herc cut him off. He had been listening to this for two days now.

"For the hundredth time Iolaus, I didn't LET her do anything. She can think for herself. She made her own decision. It was a storytelling contest in Misara. She promised to stay out of trouble. Besides she's with Gabrielle. It'll be fine."

"Look Herc, I can't help it, okay. They were supposed to be back this morning and it's after lunchtime now."

"Two things Iolaus," Hercules said, "One, maybe they stopped to eat. And two, you're making me dizzy with your pacing. So please stand still."

Iolaus was pacing faster now, and mumbling to himself.

And Hercules noticed how seductive Iolaus looked pacing bare-chested.

Hercules grabbed him and pulled him into a deep kiss. He broke the kiss a moment later, giving Iolaus a chance to breathe.

Iolaus started to speak, and Herc kissed him again, harder and deeper then the first. Herc maneuvered them so that he was leaning against the house.

When their lips parted, Hercules kissed his way down Iolaus' neck, moving his tongue down Iolaus' chest, stopping to play with his nipples before moving further. Iolaus had to hold on to Herc's shoulders to stop himself from falling over.

Hercules kneeled in front of Iolaus, and undid Iolaus' pants, freeing his cock, and pulled it into his mouth. Iolaus was moaning at this point, the touch of Hercules strong tongue causing him to sway. Herc grabbed him by the hips to keep him steady. Iolaus grabbed Hercules by the hair, and, still angry with him, started to fuck Hercules' mouth furiously.

Knowing the hunter was going to cum, Hercules let go of him and undid his own pants, freeing his very erect cock.

Iolaus came in Herc's mouth and Hercules moved catching some of Iolaus semen on his hands, rubbing it over his cock.

He threw Iolaus onto his back, and, not even waiting to pull his pants all the way off, pushed his cock into Iolaus tight hole, plunging all the way in with one thrust, and began to fuck Iolaus with the same fury Iolaus had fucked his mouth with. Iolaus was hard again, and Hercules took the hunter's cock in hand, stroking him at the same pace he fucked him. Iolaus was writhing against him, lost in the sensations.

Herc moved his mouth to Iolaus', their tongues dueling, and Iolaus' moans against his mouth were bringing the demigod to orgasm. Iolaus spilled in Herc's hand at the same time Herc filled Iolaus.

They lay together, two satiated lovers, neither wanting to separate from the other.

There were four of them walking from Misara. Karen and Gabrielle had met Joxer, there to visit Jett in prison, and then Xena, who had been travelling with Joxer. Karen took to Joxer right away, and he taught her his "theme" song.

On the road back to Thebes, Karen and Joxer were both singing it. It was annoying Gabrielle, and that was making Karen sing even louder. By the time they got to Iolaus', Gabby looked a wreck, and Xena was laughing.

They saw Hercules putting up new fence posts and Karen ran to him, a big smile on her face.

"Hercules!!" she shouted and jumped into his arms, planting a big kiss on his mouth.

Hercules returned the kiss, and held her in his arms for a few moments, looking into her eyes. He had no idea how much he'd missed her til now. Nor how tightly he was holding her.

"Herc, I think you better let me go or you're gonna break my arms," Karen said with a giggle.

He put her down, still smiling, and greeted the other's, noticing the look on Gabrielle's face

"What happened to her?"

"Oh nothing," Karen said with an evil grin. "Me and Joxer have been singing HIS song for the last few hours, and I think it finally got to her."

Xena had a big grin. "That does get on her nerves."

Karen laughed. The look on Gab's face was priceless.

"Where's Iolaus ?" Karen asked.

Herc smiled. At least Iolaus would be more pleasant now. He'd been in a shitty mood since he found out she was gone.

"Iolaus is in the forge. He's been spending most of his time there since you left. So how did the contest go?"

"Gabby and Karen tied for first place in the children's story contest," said Joxer. "Gab's story was about a dragon, and Karen's was about some kid going to visit her grandma with a basket of goodies."

"I liked Gab's story," said Karen. "I like dragons. They're pretty cool. But I wanna see Iolaus, so I'll tell more later."

"Go," said Hercules . "He's been so damned quiet since you left. He missed you, you know. And so did I."

"I should hope so," Karen said with a big grin, kissed him again, and went off to the forge.

Iolaus didn't hear her when she came in. He was too busy cleaning up a pile of junk in the corner. It was the last bit of garbage in the forge.

She smiled and spoke to him.

"You know, this place is so clean now, it doesn't look right. It should be messy. It's a forge."

Iolaus turned, and seeing her, got a big grin, and walked towards her.

"I had to do something to pass the time. It's been kinda dull around here."

"Dull, Iolaus? Somehow I can't picture that."

He was right in front of her now, his eyes shining. He was definitely happy now.

"Yeah, well I kind of had other things on my mind."

"Like what?"

He put his arms around her waist and pulled her close, his lips brushing against hers.

"Like a certain woman who, I'm glad to see, managed to keep herself out of trouble."

He kissed her hard, his tongue swirling in her mouth, sucking on her tongue. When he broke the kiss, she was dizzy. He had to hold her tighter to keep her from falling.

"Wow! I should definitely go away more often, just to get a kiss like that."

"Don't even think about it. I'm not letting you out of my sight again for a long time. Next time, where I go, you go."

Before she could answer him, Iolaus kissed her again, this time harder, his hands moving up and down her arms, and across her back. He made it very clear that he wanted her now.

This time she broke the kiss.

"Iolaus, you're hot and sticky, and you smell. How about a walk to the lake to clean up?"

"Well that depends. You gonna be nice to me if I go?"

"I don't know Iolaus," she said with a grin. "But you can be sure I won't be if you don't."

Karen ran out of the forge, leaving a bemused Iolaus to follow. He grabbed two towels and did.

By the time Iolaus reached the lake, Karen was already in the water.

"You're getting slow in your old age!" she yelled.

"I'll show you old!" Iolaus replied and

Iolaus stripped, and followed her in.

Karen felt a grab on her legs, and Iolaus pulled her down. She broke away from him and swam towards shore.

"I still say you're slow! I think I'm gonna have to put you an an old folks home."

Iolaus followed her out of the water, and she felt her temperature rising as she watched him, the water cascading down his muscular body.

'Damn that man is beautiful,' she thought, a big smile crossing her face. 'And he's ALL MINE.'

"What are you smiling about?" he asked.

"Nothing. Just happy to be back. I tied with Gab for first place in the kiddie stories."

"Which one?"

"The one you like. Little Red Riding Hood."

"I like a lot of them. Which one is that?"

"The one with the basket of food. Your favorite."

He spread his towel next to her and sat on his knees, facing her.

"Oh yeah. I like that wolf."

"Yeah that's because you and he have something in common."

Iolaus moved closer to her, and began to kiss her neck, making her giggle.

"You don't see me for a week and that's what I get? A giggle?"

She looked at him with a leer.

"Ya gotta earn more Iolaus. Giggles are free, it's the moans that cost ya."

"Yeah well lets see what I can afford then."

Iolaus wound his hands in her hair and pulled her into another kiss like he had given her in the forge. He broke the kiss and just stared at her.

"What?" she asked him.

"I don't know. I just missed looking at you. I missed you."

"Why?" Karen asked him. Even after all this time, she still couldn't figure him out. All the gorgeous women at his disposal and he wanted her. It boggled her mind.

"Because I love you," he said simply, smiling at her.

He pulled her into another kiss, pushing her onto her back. He moved his tongue down her body, kissing her gently, tasting the flesh he had missed since she'd been gone. He went straight to her pussy, and began to lick gently, sucking her clit into his mouth, til she was writhing against him. He stopped and moved his mouth back to hers. Then he sat up abruptly and pulled her into his arms.

"What's the matter now Iolaus?" Karen asked.

"I just want to hold you for a while. I missed this. Just being with you. And DON'T ask me why again."

"Okay, I won't," Karen answered.

She let Iolaus hold her for a few minutes, and then her hands wandered. She pushed him onto his back and began to kiss him, starting at his mouth, and worked her way down til she got to his cock. She took it in hand and began to stroke him ever so gently, her tongue weaving up and down til he was breathing deeply. She glanced up and saw that his eyes were closed and he was revelling in her touches.

She spoke to him ever so softly, her voice caressing his ears.

"What do you want baby? Tell me. Anything for you. Anything."

His eyes opened and he smiled at her.

"Pleasure me. Put that talented mouth to good use."

She smiled back at him, and took his cock all the way into her mouth, tonguing him while she sucked. Her hands wandered up to his nipples, and she pinched them while she gave his lower half pleasure. She knew when he was going to cum and sucked him harder, causing a moan to emanate from his lips.

He wound his hands in her hair and moved her mouth up and down his shaft.

"Oh yeah...suck it harder...oh yeah....gonna cum...ohhh..yesssss."

He spilled in her mouth, and she swallowed what she could. She looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes and spoke in a quiet voice.

"Did I do good Iolaus?"

He smiled at her and pulled her to him, her body laying atop his.

"Very good. Now it's my turn."

He rolled them over so he was atop her, and moved his mouth to her breasts, making love to each one with his tongue. Then he lightly bit at her nipples, til she was moaning.

"I know you like this. Pain and pleasure," he said, with a seductive tone.

He pinched at her right nipple while he gently massaged the left. His hands remained there, while he spoke to her.

"Which do you prefer Karen? Pain or pleasure? Or do you like them both?"

Her eyes answered for her. It didn't matter. Just his touch, either way.

Keeping his hands on her breasts, his tongue ran down her body, tasting her, caressing her with that talented tongue she loved so much.

When he got to her wetness, he took his hands and spread her. He took his tongue and gently licked her clit, then moved two fingers inside of her, gently pushing them in and out. Iolaus was very aware of what this was doing to her, and he wanted her to beg for him. He didn't have to wait long.

"Iolaus....please....now."

He continued to tease her. He was enjoying this.

"Please WHAT now? Tell me what you want. I want to give to you but you need to tell me."

"You know what she wants Iolaus. So give it to her. Because if you won't, I'd be very happy to."

Turning his head, the hunter saw a naked demigod kneeling behind him.

Hercules had been watching, and, after a week, didn't think Iolaus should be doing this to Karen.

"Give it to her Iolaus. Put your cock inside of her and fuck her."

Iolaus watched as Herc's fingers joined his inside Karen, and after a moment, he removed them, spread Iolaus' cheeks and began to fuck the hunter with them.

"Hercules, what are you doing to me?" Iolaus said, groaning with pleasure.

"Same thing you're doing to her. So why don't you give to her and maybe I'll give to you. Sound good?"

Not waiting for a response, Herc took Iolaus fingers out of Karen's wetness, and grabbed Iolaus' cock, plunging it into Karen. Then he took his own cock and thrust it into Iolaus, sheathing it in one shot. Herc began pushing in and out, no gentleness, just lust and wanting.

Pounding into the hunter, Herc leaned over and whispered softly into Iolaus' ear.

"Fuck her Iolaus. Give to her while I give to you."

Karen was in ecstasy. Watching and listening to Hercules put her into the thralls of an intense orgasm. She came, followed by Iolaus. A few moments after, it was Herc's turn.

They collapsed together, all smiling and very satisfied.

"Herc, you wanna get off me. You're cracking my ribs," said Iolaus.

"Yeah, Hercules," added Karen. "You're crushing him and he's crushing me."

The demigod removed himself, as did Iolaus, and the three got dressed and went back to the house.

They saw Joxer sitting outside.

"Hey Joxer," said Karen. "What's up? Where's Xena and Gabrielle?"

"Inside," Joxer answered, a downcast look on his face. "They went in and told me to stay out."

"Why?" asked Hercules.

"YES!!! YES!!!" came Gabrielle's voice from inside.

"Oh, that's why," the demigod smiled.

"Everybody has somebody but me," Joxer said, and walked off.

"Poor Joxer," said Karen. "I know how he feels."

"Don't you get any ideas," Iolaus told her.

"But Iolaus......."

"No buts. Joxer will find someone and it's NOT going to be you."

"Iolaus, I wasn't even thinking that. I just thought maybe he needs someone to talk to. Where I come from it's okay to be friends with a man. Half the time I think this time is more civilized then my own, and the other half I don't. Besides, last time I looked, I was a free woman, and I'm going to talk to him. And if you say one more word, I'm going to sock you in the jaw."

That said, Karen walked off after Joxer.

Iolaus stood there staring after her.

"What is she doing?" he said.

"Trying to be a friend," said Herc. "And she's right you know. We had this conversation some months ago. You try to smother her, and tell her what to do, and she WILL leave. You want to play with her, and tell her she belongs to you, that she's your property, that's fine. But give her some space. You're not the only one she cares about, nor the only one who cares about her."

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Iolaus.

"What it means Iolaus, is that Karen has just as much love and caring in her heart as you do, and you can't hold the monopoly on it."

"Look Hercules, she is MINE, and she WILL listen to me! It's not your business anyway."

"I BELONG TO NO ONE!!!" Turning, they saw Karen, standing there with Joxer.

She was crying. "You won't TELL me what to do. I will pick and choose my own friends."

She took off, running toward the lake.

"I hope you're happy now Iolaus," said Hercules. "You seem to have a knack for upsetting her with your stupid jealousy."

Iolaus, not having an answer, stalked off in the opposite direction that Karen had gone.

Hercules wanted to go after one of them, but he wasn't sure which.

"They'll work this out Hercules," Xena said, from behind him.

Turning to face her, he said, "I don't know Xena. I think he really screwed up this time. All the fights they've had since she got here and even tho it doesn't seem like it, this was the worst."

"They love each other," she said. "Love always wins out. No matter what."

"I hope you're right Xena. I really do," said Hercules. There was no more to be said.

Karen was down by the lake, fuming. She was punching a tree with her fists, her knuckles bleeding, the anger coursing thru her like a disease.

"When you're finished, I'll be happy to heal you," came a voice behind her.

Karen turned and saw the Goddess of Love.

"Aphrodite, I'm so confused. Maybe it WAS a mistake to come back here. At least in my own time I expected to be treated like a piece of shit. But not here, and certainly not by Iolaus!!"

"Do you love him?"

"YES!! That's why it hurt's so much. If he saw how I was treated by men in my own time maybe he'd understand more. He treats me so good, but sometimes....I just don't know anymore."

"Maybe that's what he needs to do?" said the Goddess.

"I don't understand," Karen said, very confused.

"See how things were in your time. I think it would be a good lesson for him."

"Can you do that 'Dite? Send us back, or forward, or whatever, to my time?"

"She cannot. But I can," said Zeus, appearing in front of her.

"Will you send Hercules with us? I need him too, and so does Iolaus. I mean if he'd want to go?"

"Of course I would. He needs to learn further lessons in respect."

Karen turned and saw Hercules, a smile on his face.

She turned back to Zeus.

"Then send us. He needs to see."

Zeus nodded. "You will have seven days, no more. I think that's enough time for Iolaus to learn."

Herc and Karen both nodded.

The last thing Iolaus remembered was running off, away from Karen, away from Hercules, away from his life. Now he jumped up, a loud noise in his ears. It scared him a bit. He'd never heard anything like it.

"It's Rock and Roll. You'll get used to it."

Looking around he saw Karen and Hercules, and another woman he didn't know.

Karen spoke, a strange look in her eyes and an even odder tone in her voice.

"This is my best buddy Sharyn. Sharyn, meet Iolaus. Iolaus, welcome to the twentieth century, to my world."

TBC in What a Long Strange Trip (which you can find on Huntress' page)