DIMENSION’S END - Cont'd

Rita Spenser looked up from the chart, fire lighting her brown eyes. "Why wasn’t I called about this incident with Ms. Remington? I thought I’d made it very clear that I was to be notified for anything out of the ordinary." The morning staff shifted uneasily. Irritating the Neurology Chief of Staff was not a good idea. The nursing head, Anita Wills, approached the fuming physician. She had a good ten years of age on Rita and was more than acquainted with the good doctor’s temperament.

"May I see that?" Anita’s hand was outstretched toward Rita and the metal backed chart.

Rita sighed and delivered the object into the nurse’s waiting hands. "And just what is it you’re looking for... confirmation of my standing order?"

"No, Dr.Spenser. I want to see who was on duty last night." Ms. Wills was unfazed by the seething woman before her... she’d seen it all before. She quickly scanned the pages, eyebrow lifting and head slowly nodding. "Hmmm... seems one of the newer nurses was on last night. From her notes, Liz demonstrated a very slight fluctuation in her sinus rhythm. She promptly called the night resident..." She paused and looked directly into those warm brown eyes. "...your resident, I might add, and passed the call to him." She handed the chart back to the doctor. "So, if you wish to chew some butt this morning, I suggest you start with your boy... and lighten up on my nursing staff. I’ll have a word with them to make sure they fully understand your orders."

Rita calmed herself before speaking. She had a tremendous respect for Anita Wills, but she was still the big dog in the room and would have the last word.

"Be sure they do." She scribbled a few orders on Liz’s chart and handed it to Anita. In an icy tone, she asked, "Now... where may I find Dr. Hunter?"

One of the staff nurses ratted the poor man out. "I believe he’s in the resident’s room. He’s been up for nearly 36 hours straight and is trying to get some rest."

Rita pushed herself away from the desk and prepared to leave the nursing station. "Well, you know what they say... no rest for the weary." She stepped around the end of the counter and strolled toward the room down the hall. Dr. Hunter was about to have a very bad morning. The ICU staff watched with a feeling of empathy for the resident. This was mixed with relief that Dr. Spenser’s ire wasn’t directed at them. The stillness slowly became a low buzz of conversation as they went about caring for their charges. The routine was so automatic as to be incredibly boring. Silently, every one of them knew all hell could break out without warning... shattering the routine in the well-orchestrated, heart pumping frenzy of a full ‘code.’ This morning they welcomed the boredom.

Liz was dreaming... at least she thought that she was dreaming. Everything was so real... the sounds... the smells. She was standing on the dock at the Dunes in Key West. It was that night so long ago that she and Sam had celebrated her birthday. She turned in expectation, knowing... just knowing... Sam would be walking up to her with a glass of champagne. A figure was approaching... a blonde woman. Liz’s heart reacted, the rate increasing. But something wasn’t quite right. The woman had a dark man in tow with her as they strolled to the end of the dock. Ares and Callisto ambled to the railing, the ocean breeze flowing through tosseled manes of hair. They positioned themselves one on either side of Liz. She watched in silence, knowing this wasn’t right, but felt powerless to stop the dream... she wanted desperately to run... her thought audible to the two gods.

Callisto looked hurt and formed her lips into a pout. "Now, dearie, why would you want to run?"

"Yes, she does have a point. What would you be running back to? ... a pathetic life of longing and grief?" Ares peered into the dark sky, sighing heavily. In an off-handed way, he laid out his first card in this hand of emotional poker. "You know, if it weren’t for Xena and that bitch, Gabrielle, Sam would still be alive... alive and with you." He arched a brow and brought his fingers to his pouty lips.

Callisto upped the ante," Yes... it’s true. She would be with you right now... skin next to yours... hands caressing every inch of your body...." She hesitated, letting the image grip Liz’s mind, then ripped it away, mercilessly. "...but she’s dead, shot down like a dog on the street." In a very catty voice, she hissed. "Why... you didn’t even get to say goodbye, did you?"

Liz didn’t know why these two were tormenting her, but she knew they were wrong... they had to be wrong.

"No!! That’s not right. Because of Gabrielle and Xena I met Sam... and because of them I was allowed to finally say goodbye to her... to exchange vows and rings with her. You’re not telling the truth... you’re trying to confuse me." Liz was barely in control of her emotions. What they were saying couldn’t be true.

Ares put his arm around her shoulders and drew close to her ear, speaking in a low, even tone.

"Oh, is that so?" He took her hand from the railing, examining her fingers. "Where is that ring now? Hmmmm... lost? Or perhaps it was never there... perhaps a trick? As I see it, they contributed directly to Sam’s untimely and I might add, rather painful, messy, death by putting you on that street at that precise moment." He released her shoulder, leaned on the railing and continued his insinuation. "But, if that’s what you choose to believe..." He let the words dangle. "All I can say is none of this has to remain like it is."

Liz blinked back the tears in her eyes. She looked at her hand. Where was her ring? The vagueness of Ares’ statement caused her to shift uneasily. "What do you mean?"

Callisto took up the gauntlet. "He’s saying... we can help change all that... bring that little girlfriend of yours back from the dead... back where she’s all warm... wet... and ummmm... you know..."

Liz stepped back from the two forms, tears in her eyes, desperation in her heart, desire to acquiesce nearly on her lips.

"Nooo... please... stop... no more." Liz put her palms over her ears trying to halt the onslaught. Ares pressed.

"Think about it... that beautiful, luscious blonde once again in your arms... the love of your life breathing again... loving again." He knew he was almost there... just a bit further. "She can be yours again, Liz. And it will be so easy... all you have to do is make the parties really responsible pay. I mean... they are the sole reason Sam is food for the worms... now aren’t they? Use your mind. Don’t you remember your first meeting with Xena?"

Liz blinked and vividly remembered her first encounter with the Warrior Princess. Her life had been in jeopardy that night. The hoodlum, Grackus, had her strung up like and animal and was taking great delight in abusing her. Xena had appeared at the last possible moment rescuing her. Liz was teetering on the very edge of reason. She tried to defend her relationship with Xena and Gabrielle. "She saved my life that night, and she didn’t have to."

Ares rolled his eyes and sadly shook his head. "Oh please... she didn’t save you out of the goodness of her heart. She needed you to help Gabrielle. Believe me, Xena would have been just as happy to let that road slime finish you. You meant nothing more to her than a means to an end. If it had come down to saving you or blondie... well, you might as well kissed your ass goodbye." He let the words sink into Liz’s mind like poison into an open wound then continued his attack. "Xena always resented your presence here. She blamed you for Gabrielle’s woes and was fully intent on making you pay. She’s still irritated that you keep popping up. You’re like this bad dinar that will not go away. Don’t confuse her politeness with acceptance. Not so deep down, she doesn’t like you very much. I wouldn’t be surprised if she were waiting for an opportunity to finally run you through."

Liz’s certainty about her friendship with Xena and the bard was beginning to waver. An irrational self-doubt was taking hold of her judgement She was allowing twisted rationale to make sense.

Ares threw out a bit more for Liz to ponder. "You know, all that time shifting back and forth wasn’t a good idea. It has really screwed with the timing in your real life. You thought nothing of sacrificing your future by helping those two, and it has resulted in you and Sam being in the wrong place at the wrong time. As I see it, you have only one choice. Xena and Gabrielle have to go. They are the main reason, like I’ve said. Without them, you’ll be free. No more waking up here ...helping two ungrateful users. Your life will be as it was... all of it."

Liz’s pain was making her mind actually listen to all this. Yes, Xena and Gabrielle were the reason Sam was gone... so many ‘ifs’ conspired to place them on that street that night. If just one thing had been different, then Sam would be living... one thing... the main thing... yes... change the main thing.

Callisto played the final card. She stood behind Liz, her breath on the woman’s neck, her hands barely touching sweaty skin. As she brushed lips to skin, she whispered, "You can’t tell me you don’t miss her."

Liz’s response barely escaped her dry lips. "Yes... I miss her... I... miss her."

Ares was overjoyed and jumped to seal the bargain quickly. "Good... then we are agreed. You can have what you want, Liz. All we need is for you to do us a small, insignificant favor. It’s nothing really... you’ll hardly be inconvenienced." With a snap of his fingers, three goblets appeared. He handed one to the numb mortal.

"Here, let’s drink to uh... love and happiness." He waited for Liz to sip the liquid. She hesitated.

"What do I have to do?" The question was simple, her good sense trying to save her... but it hardly mattered. Liz had decided to do whatever it took... her pain was so deep and inconsolable.

Ares and Callisto stood either side of her again, assisting the cup to her lips. The god of war had the last word.

"Don’t worry your little head about the details. I’ll let you know what and when. Now drink up, and Sam will be with you again very soon."

Liz brought the cup to her lips and let the molten liquid run down her throat. She felt like her soul had been cut from her. The deed was done. She belonged to Ares now...even though she would have no concrete memory of the bargain... just faint whisperings of remembrance. There was no way out of this contract alive.

"You gonna sleep all day?" The voice was familiar, in an irritating sort of way. "C’mon, time to open those eyes." The voice now had a pair of hands gently rocking Liz’s shoulders. She was still in a quasi-dream state... the words and promise of Ares reeling about in her tortured mind.

"Liz... wake up." Gabrielle’s voice once again pierced her consciousness. "Time for breakfast."

Once again, Ares’ voice teased her. "You can have Sam back... just make the responsible parties pay... I’ll tell you how and when."

Liz was trying to fight. It was too late, she had already agreed. Yet, she felt a tremendous sadness in losing Gabrielle and Xena. This just didn’t feel right... how could she possibly do what he wanted?

Callisto’s seductive voice joined that of Ares. "You won’t have to miss her any longer."

Another shake to her shoulder brought Liz almost to the waking realm... the voices and uneasiness fading but leaving a hidden trigger behind... like broken barb of a fish hook under the skin. In a jolt, she made the final leap to full consciousness, her eyes snapping open, her heart pounding. She was slightly disoriented and defensively swatted Gabrielle’s hand away. She had the look of a trapped feral animal... pupils dilated.

Her reaction took Gabrielle by surprise, and she backed away. "Liz... it’s ok, it’s me, Gabrielle. You’re in the Amazon village... remember?"

Liz blinked at the bard. Yes... she knew this woman, but now she was mildly repulsed by the sight of her. Liz’s mind tried to quell the foreign hostility building in her core. ‘This isn’t right... she is my friend... my friend.’

"Gabrielle... sorry... I was having a bad dream." Liz was doing her best to believe her own words. Her throat was parched and raw. She absently ran her hand over the front of her neck, massaging the supporting muscle structures. It almost felt like someone had tried to strangle her.

"Liz, are you all right?" Gabrielle’s voice was genuinely concerned.

"Yes, I just need some water. My throat is really dry." Rather than tell Gabrielle about a vague dream, she lied. "It’s from snoring... I do it all the time."

Gabrielle wasn’t convinced but let it go. "Uh-huh... snoring. Well, Xena and I will be in the food hut when you’re up and about." She stood and prepared to leave Liz to her morning rituals. Stopping at the room’s door, she thought about warning her of Xena’s concerns. But she really didn’t want to further piss the warrior off. She was sure Xena was wrong and they could all talk about it over food. "Uh... you remember where the food hut is, right?"

Liz forced a smile. "Sure I do... I’ll just follow my nose and listen for you eating everything in sight. I’ll join you in a few."

Gabrielle’s spirits picked up at Liz’s poking fun at her eating habits. "Ok... see you in a bit." She shut the door as she exited into the hallway. The smile on Liz’s face dissolved, and she sat back on the pallet.

Opposing feelings were actively taking shots at one another in her mind. This was so confusing. She sat for a moment, cradling her head in the palm of her hand.

"I’m losing my fucking mind." She softly mumbled.

Across the compound the day had begun for the village. Amazon’s went about their tasks in an unhurried way. Many had been up for hours already putting time in on the training ground. Some were about the village routines, collecting firewood for the cook, doing various repairs, tending the horses, the vegetable gardens and in general, breathing life into a thriving community. It was a co-operative effort, all taking part, all sharing. Liz stepped into the open, taking a moment to orient and watching the movement before her. Several of the women glanced her way, but for the most part, they accepted her presence and went about their business. She made her way toward the food hut, her stomach drawn by the aroma.

"Xena, I tell you you’re wrong about Liz. She couldn’t align with Ares, not in a thousand years." Gabrielle was already defending her friend without the benefit of hard evidence. She was giving equal time to talking and eating... it was a difficult decision.

"Gabrielle, I’m not saying that Liz is Ares agent... I’m just saying I ‘felt’ him... and Liz ‘might’ be his target. You always overreact." The warrior looked toward the room’s door. "I thought you said she was on her way over here. Gods, she’s worse than you in the morning."

"What’s that supposed to mean?" The slice of warm nutbread disappeared into Gabrielle’s mouth. "Hmmm...?"

Xena shook her head. "I didn’t mean anything by that... at least not anything bad. It’s just that the two of you have a hard time getting motivated in the morning."

Gabrielle took a big gulp of fresh juice nearly spewing it all over Xena. It took a few seconds to get her breath. "Xena! As I recall, you have had a little sumptin to do with my uh... lack of motivation some mornings. It isn’t all me you know. Gods.."

"Ok, I’ll take some of the um... heat for that, but what’s Liz’s excuse?" Xena waited for a response, a sly smile turning up the corner of her mouth.

"Oh... I dunno... how about nearly dying in the wilderness... losing the love of your life a second time... being jerked into another dimension without warning... having nightmares... hmmm... lessee, did I forget anything? Honestly, Xena, sometimes you amaze me with your... your..." Gabrielle was actually stumped for the correct word.

The warrior offered to complete her sentence. "... my insensitivity?" She reached past Gabrielle to snag a piece of nutbread. "Liz is a strong woman, Gabrielle. She may be a romantic but she’s also in tune with reality. This latest development rings of something serious... and she’d better take it as such. There’s no room for self-pity in this place. It will only get someone killed."

Gabrielle started to protest knowing an argument with Xena was usually futile. She sighed heavily trying to think of a rebuttal. It was at that moment that Liz made an appearance in the doorway. A few heads turned to follow her entrance into the room. She made eye contact with Vectra and Kai as she passed their position, nodding good morning. Vectra nodded back... Kai focused coldly. It gave Liz an odd feeling. She had a feeling the two of them would interact... not at this moment... but soon. She acknowledged Xena and Gabrielle, moving to their table. She pulled a vacant chair to the table and had a seat opposite the pair.

"Sorry... guess I was really tired last night. Hope you haven’t been waiting long." There was almost a formality in her speech. The usual warmness and familiarity was missing. Xena took this information and combined it with the suspicions she already had. She also took note of the physical distance Liz had set between them. This was not in character for her, and Xena’s honed senses were buzzing. Gabrielle felt ill at ease with the tension and tried to lighten the mood.

"Uh... Liz, you must be starving, how about some fresh nutbread? I know it’s one of your favorites." She broke off a large chunk of the bread and passed it to her. Liz took the bread, never looking at Gabrielle. Her eyes were locked on Xena’s.

"Thank you, Gabrielle. I am sorta hungry." She tore a bite and put it to her lips. "Aren’t you eating, Xena?"

"Oh, I’ve had plenty this morning." The warrior broke eye contact and raised her goblet to her lips. She was about to get to the point. "Gabrielle tells me you had a nightmare. It didn’t involve Ares by any chance?"

Gabrielle continued to buffer the conversation, "Juice?" She poured the liquid into a cup, sliding it toward Liz.

Liz never flinched. "Nightmare? I don’t recall saying I had a nightmare, Gabrielle. I said I had a bad dream... not the same thing." She mirrored Xena with her cup. "Don’t really remember what the dream was about but I’m sure I’d recall Ares being in it. He’s kinda hard to miss, y’know." An involuntary shiver went over her... a shadow of a figure brushed her consciousness for just the most fleeting of a moment. It wasn’t even enough for Liz to anchor on... to grasp.

"Yes, I know." Xena wasn’t giving up. "He’s here for some reason. I felt him and another yesterday on the path. He has a very distinctive vibration. He can’t hide from me."

"And just what does this have to do with me? I assume you are tying me to all this for some reason." Liz stopped eating and looked directly into Xena’s eyes.

Gabrielle cut her eyes at her lover. "I think what Xena is trying to say is that Ares has no scruples and will use whomever he can to continue his little ‘wreck Xena’ crusade." She paused, glaring even more at the warrior. "Right, Xena?"

"Yeah, that’s what I’m saying, Liz. He will use you if he thinks he can. Don’t underestimate his ability to manipulate. He will promise you anything. And it will sound so sane at the time. I know from personal experience. So, did your dream concern Ares?" Xena was like a pit bull on a poodle. She never gave up.

Liz was no poodle and her deepest, unnamed ache surpassed any semblance of sanity. "No, it didn’t. I told you I don’t really remember." She was beginning to dislike Xena... a thought that was, at first, worrisome. But her dislike seemed to be growing of its own accord, like a blemish on one’s first date. It wasn’t welcome but there was little you could do about it... save make it worse.

Xena could sense Liz’s defenses, and the last thing they all needed was poor communication. "Look, I’m sorry if I was so blunt. But you admit you don’t know why you’re here... and feeling Ares yesterday isn’t a good sign. I just want you to be aware of the possibility. We care about you Liz and want to help. It won’t do us any good to be at odds with one another."

Gabrielle echoed Xena’s concern. She placed her hand on Liz’s arm. "Xena’s right. We do care about you. There’s a reason you’re here... we’ll find it."

Liz slid her arm away from the bard’s touch and stood. She needed to get some distance from these two. She tried to sound sincere. "I know you’re just looking out for me. No offense taken, Xena. I think I will take Vectra up on her advice about the training ground. I could use the physical exertion. I’ll see you two later." She snagged the remainder of the nutbread and made her way out of the food hut. Gabrielle was furious with Xena, and, now that Liz had left, she was about to let the warrior have an earful.

"Xena... I can’t believe you! You practically accused Liz of lying and consorting with Ares. What’s wrong with you!? She’s our friend, remember? We’re supposed to help her... not go to war with her. Your suspicions aren’t helping."

Xena let the bard calm before speaking. "Are you finished?"

"For the moment." Gabrielle said flatly.

"Well, get ready for some real fireworks. It’s not just Ares we have to worry about. That ‘other’ I was talking about is Callisto. This is very, very bad, Gabrielle. And for some reason, Liz is right in the middle. We have to find out what is going on." She let the ‘Callisto’ part sink in before continuing. "We can’t do that if we are fighting. Don’t you see that’s exactly what Ares wants... for you and I to be at odds with one another again? Think about it."

Gabrielle’s heart was racing at the mention of Callisto. She took a deep breath. "Ok, I can do this." She whispered and then continued. "Xena I don’t understand why they would use Liz. Surely they know we’re on to them by now. There’s no element of surprise... their plan is ruined. Won’t they just give up now?"

"You know Ares won’t give up. The key is to keep Liz from falling under his spell... if she hasn’t already. There’s something different about her, and it’s not for any of the reasons you listed. Something... cold now. I tell you I’d bet my last dinar that Ares has her... I just don’t know for what."

"Xena... no... this can’t be right."

"Gabrielle, listen to me. If we are to beat him and Callisto, you and I have to be on the same page. Just keep an eye on her... and watch your back."

"Why can’t the gods just leave us alone? Haven’t we been through enough?" Gabrielle was near tears in frustration.

Xena pulled her close, wrapping strong arms around her protectively. "Nothing can separate us, Gabrielle... not Ares... Callisto... or the dogs of Hades. I won’t allow it, and if it means fighting Liz... so be it."

Gabrielle extricated herself from Xena’s grasp. She was filled with worry over Ares and Callisto once again meddling in their lives and fearful that Liz and Xena would end up at each other. There had to be away around this.

"Xena, I’m not going to allow Ares to destroy Liz, taking us with her in the process. There will be no fighting... do you hear me? I mean it." The bard stood and moved away from Xena.

"Gabrielle, where are you going?" Xena’s eyes were narrow.

Sighing, Gabrielle’s voice softened. "I’m going to the training ground to make sure Liz doesn’t offend an Amazon. She’s acting very weird." She paused, composing herself. "Are you coming?"

"No, I believe you and Vectra can handle anything that might come up. I’m going to go tend to Argo. She needs a good bath, and I need some time to think."

"Whatever." Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders and left the food hut. The tension between she and Xena was very evident to all in the room, although no one was going to mention it out loud. Xena watched Gabrielle’s back as she exited.

"Damn!" Xena cursed under her breath. She washed the rest of her irritation away with the fresh juice... wishing it were a mug of port even at this early hour.

Ares and Callisto watched the images in the reflecting pool.

Smugly, Callisto said. "Now what? You’re little plan has been foiled even before it got off the ground. See, I told you this would never work. That little charade on the dock was for nothing. What a waste of my time!"

Ares tossed a stone in the pool, its ripples obliterating the images.

"By the gods, you’re impatient... deliciously wicked... but impatient all the same. Besides, all you’ve got is time. That’s the allure of being immortal. My plan is proceeding exactly as I envisioned. And if you’d take a moment to think it through, you could see the simple beauty of it all."

Callisto pointed her finger toward the pool... fire arcing from the tip, literally setting the water on fire.

"Oooh... well, since I’m sooo slow, perhaps you’d like to explain the simplicity to me."

Ares spoke in a very condescending tone to Callisto. "Ah... you see the whole point of this is to create suspicion and distrust... which I might add, has worked perfectly. My dear Callisto, before this is over, someone is going to die. It doesn’t matter which one or who kills whom. The result will be the same... no more Xena and Gabrielle together. It can’t fail... trust me."

"Trusting you is the last thing on my mind." She hissed. "Just make sure it works."

"Dr.James please. This is Dr. Spenser calling in reference to Liz Remington." Rita’s voice was controlled and even into the ear of Randi’s admin assistant.

"Yes, just a moment, Dr. Spenser." Maggie put the doctor on hold and buzzed the inner office. "Dr. James... Dr. Spenser on one."

Randi was examining a three thousand-year-old pottery shard... her concentration shattered by Maggie’s voice. Carefully but quickly, she placed the artifact back in its protective holder.

She acknowledged the voice. "Thanks, Maggie, I’ve got it." Randi looked at the blinking light on the phone console. This probably wasn’t good and she steeled herself for the worst. Gingerly, she depressed the illuminated square and spoke into the receiver.

"Rita? How is she?" Randi had little use for chitchat... especially for this. She wanted the hard truth.

Rita sensed the unspoken words and tried to sound optimistic.

"Randi, relax. This isn’t bad news. I just wanted to give you an update."

Randi took a deep breath and willed her heart to slow. "Please tell me Liz is awake and terrorizing the staff." She would have laughed under different circumstances.

Rita felt the same way. "Oh, god, I wish that were true. The woman does have a way about her, doesn’t she?"

"Yes, she does. And I want to see that again." Randi paused, interjecting; "Roger is positively lost without her."

"We all are, Randi." Rita let the words comfort her friend before continuing. "Liz had a pretty unremarkable evening with the exception of a minor heart arrhythmia. It’s nothing to worry about. I’ve had the best heart man do a work up on her this morning."

Randi didn’t like the sound of the word ‘heart’ and ‘arrhythmia’ together. "How can anything connected with the heart be minor?"

Without going into the dry details, Rita put the event in perspective. "Randi, calm down. Sometimes patients react to all the drugs being given to stabilize them. It’s not uncommon and this was an isolated occurrence. The staff is paying special attention to the heart monitoring. She’s okay."

"No, Rita, she is not okay. She’s in a coma and you don’t know why." Lack of sleep and pure worry was making Randi unusually curt.

"You’re right, she’s not okay. And I can’t find a cause. But she’s stable and her brain function is normal." Rita’s years of experience dealing with families in the eye of disaster allowed her to ignore Randi’s panic. "Randi, I’m exploring every avenue. I’ll find the answer and Liz will be her annoying self once again." Rita then said something she rarely verbalized. "I promise."

"That’s a bold statement coming from you. I’m going to hold you to it. And you know how unpleasant I can get when someone breaks a promise to me." Randi wanted so much to believe Rita could keep this vow, as irrational as it was.

"I’ll do what it takes to keep your wrath off me, Randi. Lord knows I don’t want to incite the good Dr. James." Rita smiled to herself, remembering her first encounter with Randi’s temper. She thanked the gods it hadn’t been directed at her.

It involved an out of town fund-raiser and an overflowing toilet in the hotel room above Randi’s. It was almost a scene out of The Amityville Horror...sans blood... water snaking down the walls from the ceiling. Randi politely notified the front desk of the internal waterfall and asked for other accommodations. The night clerk assumed incorrectly he was dealing with a hysterical female and made some vague promise to look into the incident. What he did instead was to ignore her call. It was a big mistake on his part. Randi waited for a call back confirming another room. Meanwhile, the water was beginning to soak the carpet and everything in its path. Randi gathered her luggage and deposited such at the front desk... much to the clerk’s surprise. It was at that moment Rita entered the hotel lobby. She was in town to speak at a seminar on brain stem injury and rehabilitation. She walked to the front desk to check in and witnessed Randi reaching critical mass with the insolent clerk. Rita stood back and watched in sheer amazement as Randi dissected the bespeckled clerk. She informed him in no uncertain terms that not only would a new room be assigned her, she would be reimbursed for any damages to her personal property due to the flood. Randi never raised her voice, but her intensity and verve were palpable. The clerk never stood a chance. He swallowed and dutifully gave her another room. Rita had remained silent through the whole scene, wondering who this woman was. As Randi prepared to leave the lobby for her new digs, she turned to Rita, offering advice. "If he tries to put you in room 2150, take snorkeling gear."

The thought of that incident and Randi’s surgical precision in dealing with the clerk had stayed with Rita. It was even a now familiar story told at small gatherings.

"I’ll call you this evening after I make rounds. We can discuss possible solutions to this unusual problem." Rita chuckled out loud. "Leave it to Liz to do it the hard way. She’s in such big trouble when she wakes up."

Even Randi was relieved that Rita found some humor in this situation. To her it signaled hope. "Yes, big trouble. Thanks, Rita I’ll talk to you this evening." Randi hung the receiver in its cradle. She sat for a moment thinking, fingers drumming the desktop.

"Oh, what the hell." She said to no one in particular and picked the receiver up, dialing a familiar number. On the second ring, a woman’s voice answered.

"Yes... this is Ruth. How may I assist you?"

Randi cleared her throat. "Ruth, this is Randi James... Liz is in trouble... your kind of trouble I believe. She’s in ICU at Piedmont. Can you meet me there tonight?"

The psychic didn’t hesitate. "Of course, what time?"

"Visiting hours are between five and eight. How about seven?"

"Seven is fine Randi. Don’t worry... Liz knows what she’s doing."

The line went silent and Randi pondered Ruth’s statement.

"I sure hope to high heaven she does." Randi gathered her belongings and prepared to leave for the day. There would be little use in her trying to concentrate on some dead civilizations’ pottery shard. Her mind was elsewhere.

The sounds of conflict met her ears well before the actual sight of the training ground. The music of metal on metal, the low whistling of arrows in flight, the dull thuds of arms and legs countering one another... all tonal characteristics of the arena. Liz entered the open area and looked for Vectra, thinking she may as well immerse herself in her new surroundings. What better way to start than with a little butt kicking... she was in the mood... why? She couldn’t remember.

"I see you decided to take my advice." Vectra’s voice sliced the air sending a chill up Liz’s spine. She turned in the direction of the sound.

"Oh... you were advising me? I wasn’t aware it was a request." Liz heard her words but had no idea why she was saying them.

The tall Amazon stared coldly at the stranger. She said matter of factly, "It wasn’t. And insolence won’t serve you very well here, so save it."

In a few words, Liz had erected a rather formidable wall between her and the Amazon instructor. It wasn’t a good beginning. Vectra was a seasoned warrior and bore the scars of many conflicts. She was muscled and hard with a practiced coldness in her eyes. In a fight, Liz would be woefully overpowered. It would be no contest... and no challenge. Vectra knew this and she carried her confidence quietly.

"Are you here to learn or talk?" The warrior paused. "I have little patience with talking."

Liz was tired of talking. "I’m here to learn."

"Good." Vectra motioned for Kai to join them. Liz watched as the young Amazon made her way across the compound. The woman’s movement was graceful and balanced. She had an unmistakable air of sureness about her... just as all of the participants here. Liz wondered if it was something in the water that made them all so damn smug. That thought alone bothered her... it felt foreign. She had always celebrated any woman’s self-assurance, reveled in its beauty, encouraged the development. Why did this woman’s demeanor seem like a threat? What was wrong with this picture? What was wrong with her? She felt so angry inside... so agitated... aggressive.

Kai approached Vectra and Liz. She was approximately the same height as Liz, very lean and obviously very fit. She had dark hair and deep brown eyes, which at first were very soft but upon closer inspection had a warrior’s savviness riding deep within them and a dash of practiced suspicion. Kai was young but she was not inexperienced and misjudging her would prove to be a very painful mistake on Liz’s part. The two eyed one another looking for an advantage. Vectra let the silent posturing continue for a few minutes, finally breaking the standoff.

"Kai, I want you to train Liz. Start with the basics and find her strong suit." Her words were succinct and clear. Vectra left them staring at one another... neither very pleased.

Kai motioned Liz toward an open area where several women were sparing with staffs. Liz walked ahead with Kai slightly behind toward the area. Tightness forming in Liz’s gut. The sparing Amazons ceased their activity as the two approached. In fact, the majority of the women present had stopped their various regimens and was wandering over to the clearing. Apparently, Liz’s first lesson was going to be a source of entertainment.

‘Fine,’ she thought. ‘You want amusement... I’ll give you something to watch.’

Kai looked at Liz and selected a staff from the ones stacked against the wall. She tossed it to her, wanting to test her reflexes right away. Liz flinched somewhat, but caught the staff easily, leering back at Kai. There was a slight smirk on the Amazon’s face. The growing crowd took delight in this small victory. One of the women threw Kai’s personal staff to her. She caught it effortlessly maneuvering the weapon in a series of practiced figure eights and battle stances. Liz watched, hand on her hip, waiting for the whirling dervish before her to cease.

"Are you done? I didn’t come here to learn high school baton tricks. You gonna show me something or not?" Liz was intentionally trying to incite her and felt powerless to stop.

Kai wasn’t going to let this intruder have the satisfaction. "Can you do anything besides shoot off your mouth?"

Liz took a defensive stance and growled. "Oh, yes... I can do a lot more."

In an almost casual way, Kai’s steps shadowed Liz’s, her eyes never breaking contact, staff ready, moving constantly. The lesson was about to begin.

"The first movement you should learn is the front strike." The words were barely out of her mouth good before her staff whipped through the air, coming toward Liz’s face. By some miracle, Liz brought her staff up to fend the blow away; adrenaline was now pumping through her system. A smile flashed across Kai’s face, and the crowd’s excitement started to build.

Gabrielle could hear the sounds coming from the training ground. She knew this wasn’t good and quickened her step. She entered the area and at first thought Liz wasn’t there. All she could see were the backs of a crowd of Amazons urging one of their sisters on in a duel. She caught sight of Vectra, arms folded across her chest, apparently enjoying the spectacle. As Gabrielle approached from the back of the crowd, she heard Kai’s voice.

"Very good... you have quick reflexes to match your tongue." She moved quickly to her right, catching Liz off balance. "Now, let’s see how well you can counter a side attack." She feinted movement toward Liz’s right side, but as soon as Liz committed a defense, she changed and struck on the left. Kai’s blow was merely a love tap and she let Liz know as much.

"Good thing I wasn’t serious." The women were now shouting encouragement to their sister, the noise level rising. Vectra stood in the background watching the contest. There was no need to intercede at the moment... blood wasn’t flowing yet. Gabrielle couldn’t believe Vectra was allowing Kai to have a go at Liz. She started to push through the warriors and archers... each moving respectively once they realized it was Gabrielle. Vectra stopped her from interfering by placing a firm hand on her arm.

"Don’t Gabrielle... this is a lesson for both of them." Vectra held the bard in check. "Let them finish." Gabrielle wasn’t too keen on the idea but knew Vectra wouldn’t let things get too out of hand. She took a deep breath and stood still, watching the dance before her.

Liz was pissed now and that’s just what Kai wanted. Lose your control... lose your objectivity... lose your head. Kai was playing her like Orpheus’s lyre. Liz regained her balance and lunged toward the Amazon, her attack easily pushed to the side. Liz passed by her ineffectively much to the sheer delight of the standing crowd. To add insult to injury, Kai executed a rear sweep, upending Liz and sending her hard to the ground. A roar of pleasure erupted from the crowd. Gabrielle shot a look toward Vectra, hoping she’d end the conflict. The tall Amazon shook her head to indicate a ‘no’ and focused her attention on the two women again. Kai picked up the loose staff and tossed it back to Liz... insincerely apologizing for the ambush.

"Oh... sorry... did I fail to mention you should watch your back at all times?" There was a fire in her dark eyes. This wasn’t a game and Liz needed to understand this in a most painful, real way. Kai had no intention of letting her off easy. She looked at the woman on the ground. "Finished for today?"

Liz pulled herself off the ground, using the staff as a support. She was seething inside. Through clinched teeth, she answered. "Not hardly. Is that all you’ve got? A miserable little shot from behind?" She taunted the Amazon. "C’mon... you can do better than that. What kind of warrior are you? I shouldn’t even be able to put a staff near you, much less fend off a blow." Liz’s arrogance had found an opening in Kai’s armor... a small crack of insecurity. They both were in danger now. The women gathered around sensed a very real shift in the fight. Vectra inched closer to the combatants. This is what she wanted to see.

Kai’s eyes focused... her body language shifted. Liz didn’t wait for her to strike. She used the end of the staff and landed a sharp punch to the warrior’s midsection. The Amazon took the blow and hardly winced; instead a look of pleasure crossed her face. Liz was about to be in some deep shit. Kai came at her, striking efficiently... once to the abdomen, doubling Liz over. The next blow came from the side, striking her across the shoulder and neck, knocking her to one knee. Liz tried to maintain her balance, but Kai’s boot caught her in the ribs, sending her sprawling. In a matter of a few seconds, Liz was looking at the end of the staff poised to break her nose or worse. There was a look of seriousness in Kai’s face. She wasn’t finished... and neither was Liz.

Gabrielle moved to end the fight, but Vectra held her back. "No, Gabrielle, not yet."

In a desperate effort to escape facial maiming, Liz brought her foot up hard between the warrior’s legs. Much in the way it paralyzes men to have their gonads kicked, women find the sensation equally uncomfortable. It was just enough to move Kai off, Liz rolling away from the business end of that staff. She was in the process of looking for her weapon when Vectra stepped into the circle.

"Enough!" With that one word, the high tension of the warriors began to subside. Kai was still in beat-the-stranger’s-butt mode but she backed away at Vectra’s command. Her eyes, however, stayed on Liz. Gabrielle moved to help Liz off the ground, the effect of Kai’s expertise beginning to appear in welts on her arms and neck. Liz held her side trying to breathe. Kai’s boot had nearly broken a rib. As it was, she would be sporting a nasty bruise. Gabrielle was furious.

"What in the name of Zeus were you trying to do... get yourself killed? You’re not an Amazon warrior. These women are and they will hurt you! Do you understand what I’m saying?" Gabrielle was inches from Liz’s face and incensed beyond belief. Liz pulled away from her and was equally hot under the collar.

"Hey! I’m all grown up here. I don’t need you babysitting me!" Liz was taking a physical inventory of her wounds. Fortunately, nothing was broken or needed stitching. She was lucky this time. She took a deep breath and looked at Gabrielle. Her mind was reeling. Why was she yelling at Gabrielle? "Look, I’m sorry, ok? I guess I got a little carried away. I'll apologize to Kai."

"That won’t be necessary." Vectra had Kai in tow and was approaching Liz and Gabrielle. "I needed to know if you’d be a worthy student... and if Kai would be a worthy teacher."

Gabrielle shook her head in disbelief, looking into Vectra’s clear eyes. "And?"

"They both have a lot to learn." Vectra was never one for mincing words.

"And I suppose a good old fashioned conversation would have been out of the question, right? You had to get them fighting one another?" Gabrielle was incredulous by this behavior. "I swear, I don’t understand the value of physical violence." In disgust, she turned to leave the group. In parting, she threw a comment toward Liz. "You may have found a home after all." Gabrielle continued mumbling to herself as she walked away. "I don’t believe this."

Liz, Kai and Vectra remained facing one another. It was clear who was in control. Vectra coldly regarded the newcomer. There wasn’t that much warmth afforded Kai, but the young Amazon took it in stride. This wasn’t some cliquish club. Warmth had very little to do with survival.

Vectra stated flatly, "You two will work together. There is no room for petty attitudes on the training ground. You will learn this or suffer the consequences... and in this place that can mean death." She paused to let the words sink in. "Kai will be the master and you, Liz, will be the student... just as I am her master and she is still my student. Do you understand the principal?"

"Oh, yes, I think so. In my parlance, its see one, do one, teach one. I think I’ve got it. Anything else?" Liz was still flirting with a bad attitude and seemed to have no control in remaining civil. Vectra raised her brow but let the snippiness slide. Kai would soon have a handle on this woman.

"No, I think that’s about it." She looked at Liz, noticing the bruises forming on her neck. "I want you to have the healer check you over. I wouldn’t want to be accused of being a barbarian."

Liz started to protest, but Kai interceded. "We’ll go right away." She threw a practiced look toward her student. No further words were needed from Vectra and she made her way toward her other charges. Kai grabbed Liz none too gently by the arm, leading her off the training ground.

"I don’t need to see the healer... I’m fine." Liz disengaged Kai’s hand from her person.

The Amazon was being tested for control. She focused her dark eyes on the newcomer. "You just don’t get it, do you? No one... and I mean no one questions Vectra in her arena. She has absolute power in the training ground. Not even Ephiny would question her. For some reason, she’s allowed you this indiscretion. Don’t mistake it for weakness." Kai paused, "She has none, trust me. She’d just as soon gut you where you stand. If you’re half as smart as your mouth, you won’t cross her."

Liz felt a rush flood over her... an excitement. The idea of going one on one with Vectra had an insane appeal. She thought,’ Why bother with Kai when I could have a go at the master.’ Her audible words were much different. "Thanks for the warning. Now... um... where is the healer’s hut?"

The two unlikely figures walked in the direction of Saras’s hut. Ares and Callisto watched unseen by the village inhabitants. The goddess was becoming very impatient with Ares and his ‘perfect plan.’

"I don’t see why you didn’t empower that bitch so she could start kicking some Amazon ass. Really, I don’t understand why we can’t just get on with it!"

Ares sighed. Working with Ms. Incongeniality was wearing on him. "Ok, one more time from the top. The beauty in this is the planning... the dance as it were. If Liz all of a sudden starts whipping butt, Xena and that... that blonde will never be drawn in."

"Uh...technically, Arie, Gabrielle is more honey-haired than a blonde. I’m a blonde." Callisto loved to correct the god of war and did so at any opportunity.

Ares raised an irritated brow and continued. "Yeah, whatever. As I was saying... they already think we’re involved but can’t prove it. Having that little nothing turn into an expert fighter would give them the proof. No, my dear Callisto, she will appear to learn her skills at the hand of one of their own... accelerated but in a ‘normal’ fashion all the same. That will make the end that much more delicious. You just have no appreciation for theater."

Callisto rolled her eyes. "I guess not, but I’m beginning to have a real appreciation for Valeska. I should have formed and alliance with her instead."

Ares laughed, "And what... give up all this drama?"

The evening shift had just come on and was in the process of giving patient updates. Liz moved involuntarily in her bed, like she was trying to avoid being struck. It was a slight movement at first but quickly escalated, drawing the attention of the nursing staff. For all intents and purposes, it looked like she was having a seizure. The staff quickly responded, preparing for the possibility of a ‘code.’

The charge nurse, Joanne, was calling the shots. "Someone get Dr. Spenser... stat! And call Dr. Hunter. Have that cart ready. Call out the vitals!"

The team went about their duty in a precisioned manner.

"BP elevated... 130/85..."

"Heart rate increased to 180... respirations... 90 and climbing..."

They were hovering over Liz’s thrashing body... each monitoring part of her vital functions.

"EEG?" Joanne was waiting on the predicable call indicating a Grand Mal. "Well... call it out!"

One of the staff nurses, Emily, looked at the monitor and hesitated.

"Uh... it’s normal." She said. "This thing must be screwed up."

Joanne had little patience with this sort of mistake. She moved to the monitor to see for herself.

"What the...?" The words were barely out of her mouth when Liz stopped moving about. Slowly all her vitals went back to normal. The team was looking at one another and then at the various monitors. This was not right.

The charge nurse was beside herself. "Will someone please tell me what the fuck just happened?" She began scanning the faces of her staff.

"I’m not sure, but you’d better have a look at this." Doug Winston, a respiratory therapist had been making sure Liz’s airway was patent.

"What now?" Joanne was envisioning herself explaining all this to Rita Spenser... the thought was not appealing.

Doug moved away from the bedside. "This." He was pointing to obvious bruises on Liz’s neck and shoulder.

Joanne stared in disbelief. "Good God!"

Chapters 6 - 8