She made a fire, then tended to Argo and when she
was finished she sat down on the ground and ate some of what her
mother had packed for her. “I was wonder when you were going
to pop up,” Xena said as she stared into the fire and Athena
appeared on the other side of the fire. “That
was…unusual what you did for Egan’s men but I liked
it,” Athena said and Xena nodded. “Everyone deserves a
second chance, they’re not all lost causes,” Xena said
and Athena nodded as she placed her hands over the fire as though
she were warming them. “Since the problem with Egan is
settled, I’ll be taking her back to the temple but she wanted
to say goodbye to you before I did, it seems that she’s
gotten quite attached to you,” Athena said.

 

 

“I’ll be careful not to break her
heart,” Xena said as she looked at Athena who looked at her,
“don’t do it, don’t judge me,” Athena said
and Xena shook her head as she stood. “You broke her heart
Athena,” Xena said and Athena let out a breath as she looked
at Xena, “this is a situation you know nothing about.”
Athena said, “I know she gave you her heart and when you
asked, she gave herself to you,” Xena said and Athena looked
at her. “You lead her on and let her fall in love with
you,” Xena said, “I love all of my priestess,”
Athena said, “but do you have sex with them all? Do you go
around seducing them until they fall in love with you and after
you’ve gotten what you want, you just throw them
away?”

 

 

“No, I don’t sleep with them
all,” Athena said, “then what happened?” Xena
asked, “ENOUGH,” Athena shouted to Xena. “I
don’t have to explain myself to you nor will I,” Athena
said to Xena as she walked up to her and Xena met her half way.
“Was it your plan to sleep with me?” Xena asked,
“never,” Athena said and Xena looked into her eyes.
“You mouth says one thing but your eyes say another,”
Xena said then turned her back to the goddess but Athena only
appeared in front of her. “I love all of my priestesses but
there have only been a handful that I have asked them to give
themselves to me. There are things that you can’t possibly
understand Xena but I would never breech that boundary with you,
never,” Athena said and Xena looked into her eyes and saw
that Athena really meant that.