DIMENSION’S HOPE - Cont'd

"Roger...stop pacing. You’re beginning to get on my nerves." Randi had been watching him for the last hour, restlessly moving about the condo. "Here...have some egg nog." She dipped some of the thick liquid from the bowl, pouring it into the silver cup.

"I can’t help it. I’m so worried about Liz...we don’t know where she is...what has happened to her. Hell, she hasn’t even called." He took a big gulp of the nog. "It’s almost Solstice Eve for crissakes."

"Exactly, Roger. Now will you just relax? Liz is all right. I know she is. Besides, she’s a big girl now. Just give her some time. If anything bad had happened, we would have been notified, y’know." Randi was trying to convince herself as well. "Look, there’s nothing we can do...so we’re going to enjoy this soiree...and freak out later, got it?"

"All right...but she’s in big trouble when she gets home. Ha... probably sitting in some cozy inn, having a toddy in front of a roaring fire. She really aggravates me sometimes." The view of the bottom of the cup signaled another round. Roger moved toward the punch bowl as the first of the guests started arriving. It was going to be one tense evening.

The storm was still in full fury. Only the area protected by Artemis was clear. It must have posed quite a picture for the weather forecasters...that little eye of calm. They would attribute this unusual event to El Nino. In fact, El Nino was getting blamed for just about everything. For once, the weather people didn’t have to worry about accurate forecasts. The weather could literally change with the wind. The human population was at the mercy of the Earth’s cyclic whimsy.

The crew in the emergency management office was fielding phone calls from around the provinces. This particular storm had come up so fast, there were a number of travelers stranded on the numerous routes north. So far there had been one fatality...or it was supposed. The emergency patrol had come upon a car off the road in a snow bank. Inside were a woman and her child. Her husband had foolishly left the car to walk for help. It was certain he had succumbed to the elements. The visibility was so poor, he could have been right in front of them, and they would have passed by.

The wrecker hoisted the vehicle out of the bank, and the operator made sure the chains were tight. His partner was situating the distraught woman in the cab of the truck. She was decidedly upset, but he tried to be optimistic.

"Don’t worry, miss, we’ll find him for sure when this storm passes." He closed the truck door, giving her a brief smile. As he walked to the back to help securing the tow, he said what was more likely the truth, "Yeah...we’ll find him all right...frozen and sticking outta the ground like a giant popcicle. What a moron, leaving the car."

2200 hours - The Calgary Emergency Storm Center

The room was a hive of activity...phones ringing...forecast sheets being torn from printers...multiple conversations being had. It was like a war room, only the enemy was the swirling snow and frigid temperatures. In addition to the forecasters, the building housed law enforcement and the Canadian equivalent of the National Guard. Their job was to make sure no unnecessary travelers were on the roads and closed businesses were safe from looters. Natural disasters had a way of bringing out the best and worst in people. They would be prepared for both.

Several of the major routes had been closed with reports of avalanches coming in. This was a bona fide catastrophe with hundreds of people cut off from help. Line crews couldn’t even get out to start assessing the damage. Phone service and power were beginning to fail in the hardest, most remote sections. It would be days before some had either available. The largest concern, however, was for the motorists. Without heat in the vehicles, the occupants were in danger of hypothermia. There simply was no way to know how many were out there. The authorities had run a check of the car rental agencies to get a ballpark figure of departures from the airport. Most, of course, hadn’t given destinations, so all they had was a number of possible situations.

If the weather broke, low level reconnaissance flights would take place at first light. They would cover the main highways first and then the lesser-used tributaries, hoping for the best. The area was so vast though it could take days to cover it all. In that time, the agency grimly predicted a percentage of those stranded to die from exposure. So dire was the situation, it had made the news in the States.

Roger had moved away from the crowd in the condo. He still didn’t feel quite right about having a party in Liz’s place without her being there. But this year it was her turn to host, and all the invitations had gone out months ago. No one had thought about canceling the event. He poured a glass of blush, made some idle chitchat and moved toward the bedroom for some quiet. He sat in the worn leather chair near the reading stand and turned on the news. Brie had just settled in his lap when he caught the lead story. It was obviously a feed from the network to the local affiliate, complete with video footage.

The newsreader...for this guy wasn’t a real journalist...began reading the script from the TelePrompTer.

"The major news this evening is the El Nino generated weather in Canada." The screen was filled with footage of six-foot snowdrifts and cars skewed about the roadway. "Seems our neighbors to the north are going to have a very white Christmas as record snowfalls are continuing. All major roads through the Canadian Rockies have been closed due to avalanches and there is concern for many motorists stranded in their cars. The temperatures remain below zero with a wind chill hovering near minus twenty. A state of emergency has been declared for the majority of the western provinces and into Calgary. Stay tuned for more details on this breaking weather story."

The file footage of snowplows and swirling snow ended and the first of several commercials began running. Roger’s heart was nearly out of his chest. He sat on the edge of the chair, his imagination running wild. He tried to remain calm, but his demeanor was failing by the time her reached the doorway. Randi was engaged in a deep discussion with a gorgeous redhead, when he stepped beside her.

"Would you excuse us please?" Randi barely had time to protest as he guided her toward the bedroom.

Randi spoke through clinched teeth. "This had better be good. Do you have any idea how long it’s been since I’ve found an attractive woman to talk to? And you just pull me away. Are you out of your mind?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact I am...with worry." They entered the room just as the news recapped the lead story. Both of them just stared at the monitor.

Randi took a deep breath and a drink from Roger’s glass. "Ok, let’s don’t jump to conclusions. Liz is a smart girl, she wouldn’t just drive off in a snowstorm in an unfamiliar place."

Roger gave her one of those looks as only he could, slightly rolling his eyes. "Uh...Randi, this is Liz we’re talking about...who, I might add, isn’t exactly fully functioning at the moment."

That statement brought up a sore subject. "Yes, and if you had seen fit to inform me, Liz wouldn’t have left Atlanta in the first place."

"Oh...so her stubbornness is my fault?" He downed the remainder of the wine. "Excuse me, dear doctor, but the woman has a mind of her own. And if you think for one minute you could have stopped her...well...I’ll alert the media, sister!" Roger had just enough alcohol to give Randi what for.

Randi threw up her hands. "All right! It’s no one’s fault, ok? Fighting won’t make it better. Maybe she’s somewhere with no phone service. I didn’t see any reports of fatalities. Shit! This is going to be a lousy holiday. I won’t rest until we hear something one way or the other." She grabbed his arm and they walked back to the party.

2300 hours - Media room of the Storm Center

The director for emergency management was convening a press conference. Already there were unsubstantiated reports of deaths. She needed to get control of the press and the rampant rumor mill. Drew Jackson stepped up to the dais, tapped on the worn oak pedestal to get attention and began the exchange.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let’s begin. I’ll give you the latest information we have about this storm." She turned the overhead on and the crowd was greeted by a computer generated forecast model.

"As you can see, this is a huge storm and it seems to be stalled right over us." She re-emphasized the storm perimeter with a pointing stick, moving in a large circle. Unfortunately this high on the leading edge is keeping it from moving on through..."

The first stupid question floated out of the crowd. "Can you tell when it might move out?"

She hated these things. "No, we can’t tell exactly when. It depends on the high keeping it in place. We have allocated extra manpower to search for stranded and isolated motorists. We’re hoping to get some air support in the morning...."

The first reporter apparently had a twin, "When do you expect to start the aerial search?"

Her patience was already gone. She spoke in a very precise, slow meter. "As I just said, in-the-morning. Now if anyone has an intelligent question, I’d be happy to answer it." She really wasn’t concerned with kissing the media’s ass. A polite hand went up in the back of the room. She acknowledged the reporter.

The woman stood. She was well dressed and articulate. "Thank you, Ms Jackson. I’ve heard reports of possible fatalities associated with this storm. Is there any truth to this?"

"We have one possible incident, but it can’t be confirmed. A man walked away from his car looking for help, leaving his wife and child. We haven’t found him yet." She was through with this nonsense. "That’s all we really have for now. Daybreak will give us a better assessment of the enormity of all this. Thank you."

With that, she hurriedly moved away from the stand and the crowd. They were still shouting inane questions when she closed the door to the war room.

She was handed a hot cup of coffee by one of her workers as he zipped by. "Hey, Drew, I see you charmed the press just like always." He chuckled as he went about his rounds.

She glared playfully at the young man. Her demeanor with the press was legendary...and a crisis always brought out her less than tactful side. "I wouldn’t have a problem with those idiots if they’d do their homework."

Drew leaned over the shoulder of the meteorologist working with the CAM program.

"Well, how does it look, Dave?" She took a sip of the strong brew.

The man shook his head, "Not good. I think that at best this thing is going to just churn for another twelve hours. We’re in for a helluva time. If anyone is stranded out there, we’ll never find them by the time all this snow dumps. This is bad...real bad...." He punched up the projections for the West Coast. "Oh...and that was the good news. There’s another one brewing off the coast, moving in a northeasterly direction." He looked up at the director. "This one is big...and nasty."

Drew looked at the thermal graphics outlining the new storm. "Oh...God..."

The night had taken shape in a spectacular way. The air was so clear it almost sparkled. The heavens were adorned in their Solstice best...the winter planets aligned across the sky. Venus was especially bright tonight...and appropriately so. The full moon had begun its graceful assent.

"It’s beautiful, isn’t it?" Gabrielle’s voice came from behind Sam as she gazed into the sky. "It never ceases to amaze me."

"Yes...wonderful. I never really appreciated the simple beauty before. It is one of the most awesome things I’ve ever seen." She turned toward Gabrielle, her face carrying a mask of sweet sorrow. "I’m going to miss it so much."

Gabrielle was almost at a loss for words...not an easy task. "Sam, I don’t know what to say." She looked in the heavens for inspiration. "You will become part of all that, and Liz will be able to gaze upon you anytime."

Sam took a very deep breath, fully expanding her lungs, filling her senses with the aroma of life. "I know I will have to go with Artemis, but my heart is hurting so. I fear I may not be able to release Liz to go on with her life. And there’s part of me that doesn’t want to." Her words trailed off...the ache in her chest preventing further conversation.

Gabrielle was near tears herself, but tried to maintain. Wiping the mist from her eyes, she moved the obvious topic out of the way. "Ok...we can do this, Sam...you can do this. You have a second chance to say goodbye and not many of us ever have that opportunity. I think you should embrace this moment and cherish it." The bard’s reasoning was correct...sad...but correct.

"Of course, you’re right. I am thankful that I can do this." Sam placed her arms around Gabrielle for support and comfort. "Guess I’m about ready as I’ll ever be. It’s not everyday a girl gets married and then goes to the Elysian Fields for a honeymoon." She smiled, her eyes twinkling in the bright moonlight.

Gabrielle winked at her. "Oh...I’d say this is a first. C’mon, let’s see if Liz and Xena are ready."

Across the camp Xena was helping Liz with her shirt. "Great Zeus...would you be still a minute?" She was trying to get the top button of the shirt closed. "I don’t see why you wanted to change clothes...Artemis is just going to put things back anyway." Her fingers finally overcame the shirt’s objection and the collar was closed. "Y’know, it’s just by chance I could pull that bag out of the back. Otherwise you’d be getting hitched in those...." She was trying to remember what Liz had called them.

"In my sweats, Xena...sweats." Liz methodically tucked her shirt into the black pants.

"Yeah...sweats. Damn funny name if you ask me." She cast a critical eye at Liz’s current apparel choice. "And what is this...this...outfit called?"

Liz was pulling the jacket on. "It’s called a tuxedo...or tux for short." She pulled at the bottom of the short jacket, the fabric settling tautly across her shoulders. When finished, she turned in a slow circle...arms by her side, palms up. "Well, how do I look?"

Xena shook her head at the strange clothing. "You look like a penguin."

Liz laughed, "Then that means I have everything on correctly." She looked down to see her Nikes sticking out from the tailored pants. "Well...almost everything. My shoes are compacted in the back of the Jeep. But...it’s just as well...the snow would have ruined them anyway."

The warrior snorted, "Well, its not very practical...or warm looking for that fact. Give me skins and leather any old day. I wouldn’t be caught in public dressed like that."

Liz let a wicked smile cross her face. "Oh...trust me, you’d be dynamite dressed in one of these. As a matter of fact, you and Gabrielle would look killer in tuxes."

"Hummpf...well it ain’t ever gonna happen!" Of this the warrior was sure.

Liz accessed herself one more time, "Uh-huh...just never say never."

"What’s that supposed to mean?" Xena inquired.

"Uh...nothing. Ready? You got the rings, right?"

Xena produced the blue box. "Yep...right here. Shall we?

Xena and Liz started toward the agreed upon site...a slight knoll just outside the camp. Gabrielle had found the spot while gathering firewood. It was perfect, just like everything else this evening. The bard and Sam were already in place when the penguin and the warrior made an entrance. Sam’s face broke into a huge grin seeing Liz in that tux. Gabrielle couldn’t help but comment.

"By the gods...she’s handsome...but she looks a bit like a penguin, don’t you think?" Thinking she might have offended Sam, she tried to backtrack. "Well...not that I don’t like penguins, you see. I personally think they are quite eloquent...in a waddling sort of way...not that waddling is unattractive...oh Hades...you know what I mean."

"It’s ok, Gabrielle, I know what you mean...and she is quite stunning...always has been." Sam’s eyes were locked on her lover as she neared.

Xena and Liz made their way to the top of the knoll...the crunch of footsteps in the snow the only sound. Sam was waiting like she always did for Liz. Some things just never changed. That thought brought a smile to her lips. It was fitting that she and Liz finish their time together in a very characteristic way.

The warrior delivered her charge to Sam’s side. She then took her own place next to Gabrielle. The bard was overcome with the significance of this act. It really tapped into the sentimental part of her. Xena was trying to maintain some sort of stoic posture, but it was even getting to her. She broke the silence.

"Hey, you two just gonna stare at each other all night?"

Liz remained focused on Sam. "Well, do you still want to do this?" The gleam in Liz’s eyes was unmistakable.

Sam nonchalantly shrugged, "Hmmm...I’d hate for that tux to go to waste. We might as well."

Liz nodded, "Ok then." She took one of the rings from Xena and stood facing Sam. The words were sitting in her heart, waiting to be expressed. She reached out and clasped Sam’s left hand in her own. Her eyes glistened with emotion.

"Sam...that night on the street...I thought never to hold you again. Never to hear your sweet voice grace my ears...your soft hands caress my skin. By whatever miracle in the heavens, I am grateful to have this moment in time with you."

Liz took a deep breath and swallowed hard...trying to control the inevitable.

"I thought my life to be complete until I met you...but found you were the completeness I had sought. I was seeking my other self...my soul...my mirror...a balance...and there you were. So many never see what they have. I have not only seen...but have loved...and nothing can ever take that from me."

Liz kissed the ring and slipped it on Sam’s third finger. She stood for a moment, their hands touching...hearts touching. Xena handed Sam the remaining ring. She looked at the finely etched article, holding it up in the bright light. It shone with a life of its own. Taking Liz’s left hand, Sam spoke her heart.

"I always thought my life to be just one journey...one destination...all accidental. I know this not to be true now. For there can be no accident so perfect that would have allowed me to find you. Our short time together gave me a lifetime of deep passion I only dared to believe exist. You forever changed my life. I too, have not only seen...but have loved...and nothing can ever take that from...us."

Sam held the ring before her eyes, placed her lips upon it, and slipped the band on Liz’s finger. A celestial sign of acceptance that appeared as a streaking meteorite punctuated the night sky in a brilliant display. Under the most perfect sky in the most perfect place, Liz and Sam embraced tightly, holding on for dear life. It was so poignant as to be painful to watch. They touched one another’s face, fingers tracing outlines, trying to commit the tactile details to memory, each afraid to blink, fearful the other would disappear. It was a few minutes before midnight when they kissed one another. It was at this precise moment Artemis appeared in all her beauty. Her radiance was almost eclipsed by the energy of Liz and Sam together.

Gabrielle’s hold on Xena became tighter. It was irrational, but for a split moment she thought Artemis had come for her instead. The very idea of leaving Xena was just so empty...she couldn’t fathom how Liz and Sam were feeling at this moment. She looked at the warrior, wanting her to intercede.

"Xena...it can’t be time already. Can’t you do something? They deserve more time together."

Artemis felt for her Chosen’s concern. "Gabrielle, time is relative. What seems short and cut off in one life, is merely a segment of the whole. Liz and Sam have all the time in the universe to be together."

Liz still held Sam close to her. "What do you mean by all the time in the universe?"

Artemis was going to try to put this in terms they could comprehend. "I mean that your experience together isn’t limited by time as you understand it."

Liz almost laughed, "If there’s one thing I understand, it’s the concept of time. I’ve been there, done that...if you recall. And I don’t see what this has to do with you taking Sam away."

"I know this is hard for both of you...being separated again. But it’s just a mere blink in the universe." By the look on the women’s faces, Artemis could tell she’d have to bend a few rules to get Sam to willingly leave and allow Liz room to go on with her life. The goddess asked them a question.

"What if you knew for certain you’d meet again and share other lives? That this was just one part of a very long meaningful journey? What if I could show you that? Would it matter?" The implication was overwhelming.

Gabrielle whispered aside to Xena, "I thought she said she couldn’t do that?"

Xena clarified, "I believe she said it was against the natural order of things...not that she couldn’t do it. I think the rules are about to be broken."

Artemis was waiting for an answer. "Well? I haven’t got all night. What about it?"

Sam’s eyes were on the goddess and then on her lover. She wanted to believe her claim. "Show us...please."

Artemis directed their attention toward the heavens. The night sky took on a configuration they had never seen. The stars and planets rearranged themselves, appearing in a long continuous line...with two of the brightest stars as the focal point. As Sam and Liz looked up into the sky, their perception shifted. They appeared suspended above the spectacle below them. They could see not only what was directly in front of them...but into the past and future. When viewed from this perspective, the present seemed narrow and undefined compared to the whole. It was insignificant and essential at the same time.

Artemis spoke to them without audible words...for words could not convey this rationally. She allowed Sam and Liz to absorb the information conceptually. In the very fiber of their beings they were able to ‘see’ the past, present and future of their time together. The thoughts of Artemis formed in their conscious minds, ‘This is your journey...and its end. You have been...are...and will be together. It is your destinies... much as Gabrielle and her warrior’s, you will find one another again.’

Sam looked at Liz one more time. Artemis was waiting, hand outstretched.

"Come, Sam...you must leave now." The statement was simple.

Sam turned toward the goddess and then to Liz. Their eyes locked on one another...their hearts forever connected. Slowly, their touch was separated, fingers holding on till the last possible moment. Sam was being pulled away. In a moment of acceptance, Liz smiled at her and called, "I’ll look for you tomorrow, love."

As Sam faded with Artemis, she echoed, "Yes...tomorrow, then...and always."

It was after midnight and Solstice Day. A light snow had begun falling and Liz watched as her surroundings squeezed into a pinhole. She was barely able to see Xena and Gabrielle before everything went out on her. Artemis bestowed a special gift to everyone as she left for her realm. She so enjoyed confusing mortals.

0010 hours - The Calgary Emergency Storm Center

"I don’t believe this...not now!" The technician was checking settings on his workstation. "This can’t be right! Shit!"

The outburst had gotten Drew’s attention. "What the hell is going on with you?" She picked up her cup and the latest projection sheets and headed toward the console. "What!?"

"Aw...man...I think we just lost our connection with the GPS. Either that or it’s sending me pictures of someplace other than here. I’m still checking the settings. This isn’t possible." He stood aside to allow Drew an unobstructed view of the images. It indeed wasn’t possible.

She blinked, unbelievingly. "Where’s the weather system?"

He continued to enter commands on the console. "Uh...yeah...my question exactly. I’m not getting anything...nothing...nada...zip. From the look of this...it’s a beautiful night in the neighborhood."

She moved to another monitoring station. They all were the same...not a hint of the raging fury that had blasted the country for the last twenty-four hours.

"This is ridiculous." She put her cup down and headed for the door. "I think I’ll just step outside for a dose of reality...then we need to get these systems back online." Drew pulled her heavy coat on and prepared to brave the elements. She braced for the bitter cold as she pushed the heavy steel door open. It was cold all right...but the wind had stopped. She stepped into one of the most spectacular winter nights she could ever remember. The sky was so dark and stars so bright it looked surreal. She was speechless. There was no storm...oh...there was lots of snow left behind...and it was cold. It felt like a typical winter’s night in Canada.

"I’ll be damned!" She was totally at a loss for an explanation. In fact, there was no explanation. What had happened, could not have happened. Even El Nino wasn’t capable of this little hat trick. She peered into the crystal night knowing a much greater force was at work. Drew looked at her watch. It was just after midnight. The winter Solstice had arrived, heralding the beginning of related rituals and beliefs. She spoke to the heavens. "I don’t know what has happened, but thank you."

Her friend, Dave, called from the doorway. "Hey, Drew...you’ve got to see this. C’mon."

She pulled the collar up on her jacket and retreated toward the warmth of the building. Once inside, she tossed the coat over the nearest chair. "Now what!?"

Dave was shaking his head and looking at the storm projection reading for the West Coast. "You know that whopper we were looking at an hour ago in the Pacific?"

"Yeah...the one the size of California?" She peered over his shoulder at the console. "Jeez...it’s gone, too."

Dave wasn’t sure if he was happy or pissed. This phenomenon flew in the face of all that was scientific. He couldn’t explain or rationalize the event...and it was severely testing his experience and knowledge.

Exasperated, he tossed the printouts at the console. "What the hell is going on?"

Drew couldn’t answer him. "I don’t know...and I’m not going to waste my time trying to find an answer. Just accept it and let’s use it to help those folks lost and trapped in the storm." She began barking orders at her staff...arranging for an air search at first light...snowmobiles into the wooded areas...ski patrols in the higher elevations. There was still a lot to do...and now they had a window to operate within. Daylight was just a few hours away.

Liz heard the voices of Xena and Gabrielle, softly speaking as if she were listening in on a private conversation.

"Xena, do you think she’ll be ok?"

"Liz is a very strong, woman, Gabrielle. She’ll pull through this."

"I’m not talking about the physical part...you know...the other."

Xena’s voice floated over Liz, "I don’t know...only time will tell."

The bard joined her lover as they prepared to leave. "Yes...time..."

Liz strained to hear more, but they were gone. It was so quiet...so still...she knew her time was near. All that was left was to let go and be done. She felt no fear and was at peace in this place. In the distance, a noise was approaching. She thought that perhaps it was Death riding astride his steed. The noise was louder and nearer. It was rhythmic and irritating. She had heard it before ...somewhere.

‘thumpathumpathumpathumpa......’ then the men’s voice’s descended on her...gruff...rasping...

"Go away...leave me...." She whispered.

"Ground to Eagle...we’ve got a live one...priority one...repeat...priority one."

The static voice responded, "That’s a Roger, ground...P1, confirm..."

Her brain keyed on the one word that had meaning, "Roger? Is that you?"

She felt hands on her and a voice coaxing her to open her eyes.

"Miss? It’s ok, we’re gonna get you outta here. Can you open your eyes? Miss?"

Liz struggled against the numbing cold that wanted to completely subdue her. She opened her eyes, squinting into the bright sunlight. There was a form over her, but all she could discern was shape...no detail. "Liz...name’s... Liz...not...Miss..."

"That’s a girl...testy is good. Liz...listen to me. You’ve been in a severe accident and trapped in your vehicle. We’re here to help you now and get you out of here ASAP. Do you understand me?" His voice was strong and steady. Liz looked at him, finally seeing the face of a young man, barely in his twenties.

She smiled, "No problem...I have all the time in the universe. Say...could you turn off that huge ass ceiling fan...I’m freezin’ my butt off...."

Roger was barely up and into his first cup of tea when the phone rang.

"Hello...and happy holidays..." He chirped into the receiver.

"Roger...its Randi...turn on Good Morning America...right now!"

"Huh? ..."

"Jeez...do it!" She insisted.

He grabbed the remote and watched as local station break ended, returning to GMA.

"Ok...it’s on...now what?" He was sitting crossed legged on the huge brass bed, pillows piled behind him and a warm comforter beneath him.

"Just watch."

The faces of the GMA hosts, Charlie Gibson and Willow Bay, appeared on the screen. They were about to go to the lead story.

Charlie did the intro, "To those of you just joining us, we have a most miraculous story unfolding. Well, actually it’s two stories linked together. And it is fitting it should happen during this special time of year. . We go to our special correspondent, Joan Lunden, reporting from Calgary. Good morning, Joan."

The scene shifted to a bundled Joan Lunden, doing an outside remote.

"Good morning, Charlie. This is just like old times." She chuckled. "It’s an absolutely beautiful day here in Calgary, but that wasn’t the story a few hours ago. As our viewers may be aware, a monster of a storm had barreled into the area forty-eight hours ago...catching most everyone unprepared...and stranding motorists. In an event that can only be described as a miracle, the storm suddenly abated a little after midnight this morning."

Willow asked for details, "Is there any reasonable explanation for this?"

Joan pulled her parka around her neck to fend off the frigid temperature. " No, Willow, there isn’t. In a prepared statement by Drew Jackson, Director of The Emergency Storm Center here in Calgary, she stated this is unprecedented in all the years she’s been at the Center’s helm."

A taped interview with Drew appeared on the screen.

"This is the most unusual weather pattern I’ve ever seen. Not only did the storm covering most of Canada dissipate, but another huge system forming in the Pacific, vanished as well. I can’t explain it...and have no intention of speculating. We were blessed by this event, allowing our rescue efforts to be stepped up. We have been able to come to the aid of numerous individuals trapped by the storm."

The scene switched back to the live broadcast. Joan continued her story.

"Now that’s where the miracle of all this really happens. I’m reporting from outside Rocky View Hospital in Calgary, where during the early morning hours, an American, by the name of Elisabeth Remington, was life-flighted out of a remote part of the Yoho National Park."

Charlie interjected a clarifying statement. "And a full scale search for those suspected missing would have been standard practice, yes?"

"Oh, definitely. But the unusual thing is how they found this woman. I have with me one of the members of the air search team, medical specialist Jeremy Paris of the Canadian Air Force. Specialist Paris, can you tell us how you found Ms. Remington?"

The young man was nervous, but personable. "I was assigned to a med-evac ‘copter doing low flyovers along the major highways. We’re on our way back to base, just out beyond Bow Pass when the spotter saw something."

"Saw something? What? A flare...people waving?" Joan just couldn’t allow the man to tell his story without interrupting.

"Uh...no ma’am...nothing like that. He saw a patch of green on the white snow. Stuck out like a sore thumb. We circled ‘round and I dropped on a line to the ground."

"And were you able to see her right away?"

"Well...not really. The snow was pretty deep and had completely covered any evidence of a wreck. I walked toward this small stand of trees and noticed several were newly broken. I had my suspicions, and began uncovering this uh... mound...and found it was a vehicle. She was inside."

Joan pushed for details, "What did you do then?"

"Well, the vehicle was on its side. I climbed up to the door and lowered myself through the broken window. She was alive, but pretty banged up...contusions to the head and a broken leg. I’ll say this, she put up a helluva fight to stay alive." He smiled, remembering, "She was out of it, but asked if I would shut off the big ceiling fan over her..."

Joan was clueless, "Ceiling fan?"

"Yeah...she thought the ‘copter blades were a ceiling fan...pretty funny. We got her out of the cab on a stretcher and into the ‘copter. It was remarkable that we found her. The combination of the vehicle’s position and snow cover would have made it impossible to detect for a long time." He paused and stated the most obvious." She would have died from exposure probably in another twenty four hours."

The camera cut to Joan. "Wow, that’s an amazing story. And thanks to you and your team, the doctors here are now treating her at Rocky View Hospital. That must make you feel pretty good, Jeremy."

"Yes ma’am, it does. Anytime we can help someone, it feels good."

Charlie had a question for the young man. "Uh...Joan, before Specialist Paris gets away, I have a question for him. Jeremy, you there?"

"Yes...I am."

"I’m curious about the green marker you saw from the air. Do you have any idea where it came from or who put it there? And why wasn’t it covered in all the snow that fell, too?"

"Well...we were curious about that ourselves. There was a sign that someone had been there as recently as last night. We found a campfire near the wreck. Whoever it was made sure the site could be easily spotted. They are the real heroes who saved her life. They even splinted her leg. And did a pretty good job, too."

Charlie cut in...obviously it was time for a station break. "Amazing rescue...thank you Specialist Paris. Joan thanks for the update. Try to stay warm." He turned to the camera. "We’ll be right back with Martha Stewart’s tips on recycling those holiday decorations."

Roger had been mute through the entire interview. He was overwhelmed by the news. Randi spoke into his ear. "Roger...you still with me?"

"Oh...God, Randi...she almost died out there. I can’t stand this...Liz is going to kill me with the way she goes about life. If I weren’t so relieved, I’d be spitting mad." Roger was almost crying from the news.

"Believe me, when I get my hands on her...well...Oooh...she just..." Randi couldn’t even get her thoughts out.

"So...you calling the hospital, or shall I?" Roger inquired.

Randi chuckled, "I think I will. Probably won’t get to talk to her, but I need to let her know you and I know where she is. And we’ll have to arrange to get her home. I’ll talk to her doctor there and see how serious her injuries are. With any luck, we can have her home before New Year’s. Sound good to you?"

"Sounding better all the time. Merry Christmas, Randi."

"Happy Solstice, Roger. I’ll call a bit later when I have the details. Bye, hon."

"Bye, Randi." He hung the phone up and just fell back across the bed, a tear of relief rolled down the boy’s cheek. "You owe me, big time, Liz...big time."

Liz was resting comfortably, warm at last. She was awake, taking in her surroundings. The recent past seemed a combination of dreams and reality. She wasn’t sure which had happened. The entrance of one of the staff doctors interrupted her musings.

He was thumbing through her chart as he spoke. "You’re one very lucky woman, Ms. Remington."

Liz hated formality. "Please, call me Liz."

He smiled and hung the chart on the hook at the foot of the bed. "Ok, Liz." He moved to the bedside and checked the IV drips. "I need to ask you a few questions...if you’re up to it."

Liz looked up into his face, guessing he was in his late forties. He had slight graying at the temples and a very strong jawline. His build was very athletic and had apparently stayed in shape. The name sewn across the lab coat pocket read...Winston J. Stockton, M.D. P.C. ~~ Internal Medicine.

"You ever play football, Dr.Stockton?" Liz always wanted to know more than the surface information.

He raised an eyebrow at being questioned. "You mean soccer?" He had taken his penlight out of his pocket and was examining her eyes.

"No, football...American style." Liz tried not to follow the beam as it moved across her pupil.

"Nope...too sissy...all those helmets and pads...and rules. I played rugby. Still do on my days off. Why do you ask?" He was gingerly feeling her neck for abnormalities.

"I was just noticing your physique. It’s something I do...sorry." She winced as he touched a sore spot near the base of her skull.

"Hmmm...that hurt?" He manipulated the spot again.

Liz took a deep breath. "Yeah...feels like I took a header into an empty pool."

"Well...fortunately, it’s just a little whiplash. The x-rays didn’t reveal a fracture. I think a few trips to the chiropractor would be in order...and maybe some massage therapy." He finished the exam of her head and neck. His attention turned to her casted lower leg.

She was a bit surprised at his suggestion. "You mean you’re actually telling me to see a chiropractor?"

He was feeling her exposed toes for sensation and warmth. "Hey...we’re all not from the old school. I believe in a broad approach to treating my patients."

He retrieved the chart again, pulled a chair near the bed and scribbled his notes and orders. Liz was concerned about her leg.

"So...what’s the verdict on the leg, doc?"

He closed the chart, resting his hands on top of the metal file. "Amazingly, the fractured was so well reduced at the scene, all we had to do was cast it. Whoever did this knew what they were doing...probably saved your foot in the process. Do you have any idea who this person was? I was told there was no one else there with you."

Liz didn’t know what to tell him. Surely the majority of her memories were trauma induced. She couldn’t be certain. And even if she were, the idea of spewing forth a Xena story, as an explanation, wouldn’t be in her best interests. "No...I have no idea. Sorry, can’t help you."

"I see." He seemed satisfied enough to file a report. "Well, guess it doesn’t really matter. In that area, it could have been a trapper that found you. Most of them are very solitary individuals...don’t like being around alot of people. I suspect he or they stayed long enough to assure you’d be found. Like I said, you’re very lucky."

Liz needed to know one other thing. "Dr. Stockton, how did someone find me?"

He was at the door, preparing to go about his rounds. "Seems the person or persons attending you, found something in the vehicle to draw attention from the air. They laid out a green marker...and the rest, as they say, is history."

"What about my belongings?"

Thoughtfully, he rubbed his chin, "I believe the second team into the area retrieved all they could from the wreck. Don’t worry, it’s all safe and sound to take home with you."

"And that would be when exactly?"

"As far as I’m concerned...anytime you’re ready. Your leg is stabilized and I’ve found no internal injuries...head looks good...I think you bit your tongue initially, but that is healing well. So it’s up to you."

She remembered her concern about internal bleeding. "Oh...that explains the blood in my mouth...hmmm." She sat up in the bed; relieved things were going to ok. "Thank you. I need to make a few phone calls then."

He remembered one other bit of information. "Oh...by the way, a friend of yours...a Randi James...called inquiring about your condition. I told her basically what I’ve told you. She told me not to let you out of my sight until she arrived. She was very insistent."

"Randi!? She’s coming here!?" Liz was nearly speechless.

He smiled, "Yep...be here this afternoon. Take care, Liz. I’ll issue the signout orders. Bye, now."

With that, he left the room, closing the door behind him. Liz sat in the quietness trying to think how to explain this to Randi. Jeez...it was like waiting to be spanked.

Liz sat in the wheelchair while Randi checked them in at the Delta counter. So far, Randi had not jumped into her shit about all this...but the flight to Atlanta would be long...and it was just a matter of time. It wouldn’t be a first...having Randi pissed at her...or the last. Liz decided to just take her medicine. Lord knows she deserved it. Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad. That thought made her suppers a laugh.

Randi walked back from the counter. Their boarding passes were all squared away. She caught the familiar smirk on Liz’s face.

"Ok...what’s so funny? Y’know, if I were you, I wouldn’t be laughing right now. We still have five hours in that plane together. And I want some answers."

Before Liz could respond or defend herself, the first boarding call for the flight was announced.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Delta flight 877, non-stop to Atlanta with continuing service to Miami, will begin boarding all passengers needing assistance...then our first class travelers. Welcome aboard."

As Randi pushed the chair forward, Liz looked back over her shoulder. "Randi...because I’m in a chair and we’re flying first class, do we have to board twice?"

Randi rolled her eyes, a slight smile on her face, in spite of trying not to. "Give it up, Liz. Being cute isn’t going to save you this time. You’re lucky I don’t make you hop on one leg into the plane."

Liz winked at her, "It was worth a shot."

The two rolled down the gangway toward the waiting flight attendant. The attractive woman helped Liz from the chair and to her seat. Randi placed her carry-on in the overhead bin and took the seat next to her. Before the first group of coach passengers started filing through, Liz had ordered a beer. Randi asked for Ameretto and coffee.

The two sat, sipping and contemplating. It wasn’t until the plane leveled off at their cruising altitude, did the conversation begin. Liz attempted to disfuse the powder keg sitting next to her.

"Ok...I know what you’re going to say. I was reckless...thoughtless...selfish. I put you and Roger through hell, and I deserve your anger. I’d say I’m sorry, but I don’t think that would cover it."

Randi took a slow sip of her coffee, looking at Liz the entire time. She probably had run what she was going to say to Liz through her mind a hundred times. Seeing her safe somehow took some of that anger away. She was more hurt than anything.

"You are right about a few things. You were reckless...thoughtless and selfish. And, yes, Roger and I have had a few tense days because of all this. But I’m not angry with you, Liz. I thought we were close enough for you to confide in me. Why didn’t you just tell me what was going on in your head?"

Liz sighed, "I dunno...I felt like I was going crazy and I...I...didn’t think you’d...."

Randi completed her concern, "Think what? That I’d understand?" She shook her head. "Liz...puleeze...after all we’ve been through. Honey, if anyone understands you, it’s me. Don’t you know that?" She placed a hand over her friend’s.

"Yeah...I suppose I do know that. I’m sorry...really."

Randi motioned for the attendant to bring another round of liquids. She turned slightly in her seat toward Liz, pulling her bare feet under her in the wide, leather seat. "Well...you going to tell me what happened or not?"

Liz knew Randi was sincere in wanting the details. "Ok...but it’s going to sound weird."

"Sweetie, I wouldn’t expect anything less from you...trust me. I’m kinda used to weirdness where you’re concerned." The attendant delivered their drinks and Liz commenced to relate the story as she remembered it.

By the time they were near Atlanta, she had told Randi everything. "So...you see, I’m not really sure if it happened or not. I was back in the Jeep...back in my sweats...freezing to death." She held up her left hand and looked at her bare finger. "I don’t know about the rings either. I assume they are still with the things that were salvaged out of the wreck. Won’t know till we get home and I can go through them. As for my leg being splinted, well, it probably happened the way the doctor explained...a trapper came upon me and set it. No mystery...no real answers."

Randi looked at Liz, compassion in her eyes. "What do you want to believe, Liz?"

A mist formed in her eyes, "I want to believe that I was able to say goodbye to Sam...and hold her one last time."

Randi was also feeling the emotion of all this, "Then, that’s what happened. Case closed...no problem."

The flight was on final into Hartsfield. Liz and Randi got properly situated and awaited touchdown. They were ready to be home. Having a broken leg did have its advantages. She and Randi were the first ones through the gate. Roger was waiting in the concourse as they rolled into view. He gave Liz a huge embrace then one of those...’you’re in such trouble’...looks.

Liz opened her mouth to speak, "Roger...I..."

He held a hand up to stop her, "Don’t even start with me. I’m still pissed at you...so you can keep those baby blues all to yourself. I plan on being mad until we get home...so just deal with it!"

Liz really couldn’t argue with the boy...so she didn’t. The three of them proceeded to the exit. Liz’s belongings would arrive in a day or two. They had to be air freighted separately. She wasn’t worried...she just wanted to go home and sleep in her own bed...with Brie and RG.

New Year’s Eve was going to be a quiet affair. Roger was bringing a young man he’d met on a buying trip in DC. Randi had a date with the gorgeous redhead she’d met at the holiday party. She was a friend of a friend...and doctoral candidate in Old World Antiquities. They couldn’t stop talking about finding this and carbon dating that. Randi had found a kindred soul to share her professional passion...and perhaps more. Liz was content being with her friends and her kitties. Her life needed time to heal and move on.

The guests arrived at nine. There was champagne...Roger brought a silver platter of canapés...Randi brought the redhead. They were all sitting comfortably around on the leather sofa and club chairs. Conversation was low-keyed...soft music in the background. The freestanding fireplace emitted a warm glow and the smell of seasoned oak...occasionally crackling and popping. Brie and RG had found cozy nesting places under the tables and snoozed unconcerned about the humans in the room.

Randi’s date, Monique, was intelligent and witty. Liz approved...like Randi needed or wanted approval.

Monique sipped the vintage bubbly, "So, Liz, Randi tells me you are familiar with ancient Greece. You been on many digs?"

Randi threw Liz a warning look...as if to plead with her not to spout a Xena and Gabrielle story. It just wasn’t the sort of thing she wanted to explain on a first date.

Liz smiled and did her best to comply. "Well...not too many digs...I’m more of a first hand kind of girl. I like to see things before they’re thousands of years old."

Randi rolled her eyes...Monique looked confused...and Roger poured more champagne. They were in the middle of their first bottle when there was a knock at the door.

Roger started for the door. "Liz, did you invite anyone else?"

"No...don’t think so. It’s probably someone selling magazines. Hell...invite them in." She went back to the current conversation between Randi and Roger’s date, Alexander. They were discussing the current market value of artifacts.

Roger was at the door, signing for a delivery. The young man quickly turned over the box took the signed receipt and backed into the hall.

"Roger, who was that?" Liz inquired.

"Not who...but what...it’s your luggage. Delta had it delivered. You wanna open it and see what’s missing?"

"Sure...lug it over here so I can see what I have to replace."

Roger got Alexander’s assistance to move the heavy container over to Liz. Brie’s and RG’s interest picked up at the sight of the soon to be primo play toy. Randi got a pair of scissors from the kitchen and gave them to Liz. She maneuvered herself close to the box. The cast on her leg was a cumbersome addition and she sighed heavily as she got in position. She then cut the sealing tape and folded the top back. The box contained her duffel and backpack. She hoisted the contents out.

"Great! At least my duffel made it. I packed most of my stuff in here." She undid the snaps and unzipped the top. The bag had actually weathered the crash in pretty good condition. She went through the first few articles of clothing. As she moved some tees aside, an object caught her eye. At first, she thought she was seeing things.

"Omigod...." Was all that would come out.

Roger and Randi inched to the edge of their seats. In unison, they blurted, "What!?"

Liz continued to peer at the item, almost afraid to touch it. "I don’t believe this."

Again, Roger and Randi chimed, "What!?"

Liz reached into the bag and began pulling out a rather unusual object. When the length of the object finally cleared the bag’s interior, Liz stood, holding Roger’s whip in her hand.

It was Roger’s and Randi’s turn, "Omigod...!!"

By now, Monique and Alexander was intrigued, "What!?"

Randi looked at Monique, "It’s a very long story...trust me."

Alexander’s eye were practically dancing, "Roger...it that yours?"

The boy was eyeing the whip like it was something holy. "Uh-huh...yeah...it’s mine." He looked to Liz for an answer. "I don’t understand...I thought this was...you know...unavailable...how....??"

Liz had an idea, and the presence of the whip confirmed alot of things for her. "Uh...I think I know...but just go with it. Besides, you’ve been pissy every since I lost it. So there...you have it back now...be happy." She coiled the monster and tossed it to Roger. Bending over the bag, she searched for one other item to absolutely cement her hopes. Near the bottom, she found it...the green caftan.

"Roger, dear, I believe this is yours also." She pulled the garment from the bag and delivered it to the astonished man.

"Uh-huh...thanks. Last time I let you borrow my stuff." He wrapped the caftan around him and struck a pose with the whip. Alexander was amused...Randi in shock...and Monique poured more champagne. Things had come full circle and were complete.

Randi took a long drink of her champagne and wanted confirmation. "It was the caftan, the rescuers saw from the air, wasn’t it?"

Liz’s heart was pounding at the implications. "Yes...it was...and that means..." She let the rest just trail, but Randi knew exactly what she was talking about.

"Yes...Liz...it does..."

The guests left shortly after greeting the New Year. Randi embraced her friend tightly.

"Call me later...I want to know..."

Liz held on for a moment, "I will...Happy New Year, Randi." She kissed her on the cheek and watched Randi escort Monique down the hall. Roger gave her a bear hug and peck on the lips. He and Alexander were headed to the late nightclubs...to demonstrate that whip, no doubt. Liz closed and locked the door. She hobbled back to the sofa...refilled her glass with the last of the champagne...and picked up the backpack.

She took a deep breath and opened the top. For a minute, she didn’t see it. Then her eye caught the box in the bottom of the pack. She removed the little blue square and set it on the table before her. Liz took a sip of her drink, her throat dry in spite of the liquid. Her hands held the box, and her fingers opened the lid.

"Please...." she pleaded, "...please, let this be real..." The top snapped open and her eyes came to rest on the contents. There was one ring in the box. She lifted it out and slipped it on her finger. It was her ring...Sam’s was a size smaller than hers was. There were no words to utter that would have said more than the feeling in her heart and soul. She knew everything that had happened was real...Xena...Gabrielle...Sam. She also knew that Artemis had been real...and that the vision she had allowed them to see was their future. Liz took her glass and stood before the windows...peering into the New Year. Her thumb ran along the ring on her third finger, feeling the metal. In her heart, she knew she’d go on. And she knew Sam would go on. The music on the stereo echoed the moment.

....Everynight in my dreams...
...I see you...I feel you...
...That’s how I know you go on....

...You’re here and there is nothing I fear...
...That’s how I know my heart will go on...

Xena and Gabrielle once more watched from the corner...their duty complete. Gabrielle was tightly holding her warrior.

"She will be all right, won’t she, Xena?"

Xena kissed her softly, "Yes...all Liz had to do was to realize that she didn’t have to hold on to the pain to hold on to the memory. She’ll be fine...both of them will be. Let’s go home, Gabrielle...."

They faded with Brie and RG silently bidding them goodbye. Life could now move forward.