TITLE: Why Can't We Be Friends?

AUTHOR: Sky Pie

RATING: G

SUMMARY: During a trip to Corinth, Alexia reaches out to Iolaus. This is a sequel to "Welcome to the Academy."

DISCLAIMER: The character of Alexia is mine. All Young Hercules characters are not mine and no copyright infringement is intended. This is an original work of fiction. Any similarities to other fan fictions or stories are entirely coincidental.

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"What is taking them so long?" Iolaus asked impatiently as he stood outside of the academy walls. The cadets had been released for a short break and he, Hercules, Lilith, and Alexia were going to visit Jason at the palace in Corinth. Iolaus found it ironic that the one time he was ready to go, the rest of the group was lagging behind. Finally, he saw his blonde female friend walking towards him.

"Hey Iolaus." Lilith greeted cheerfully.

"It's about time!" he exclaimed.

"Nice to see you, too," she said sarcastically.

"Sorry. It's just that I want get out of here now. I mean, I like the academy and all, but after being stuck here for a while I was beginning to feel trapped. I want to go out and have an adventure, even if that adventure is just traveling to Corinth."

Lilith nodded. "I know what you mean."

"Where are Hercules and Alexia?" he asked.

"I don't know. I thought they'd be waiting with you."

"Apparently they're not." Iolaus grumbled. "C'mon, let's go find them so we can get a move on."

Lilith agreed and they went back to search for the two dawdlers. All of the other students and staff had left, so they figured it would be easy to locate them. Sure enough, they were spotted at the side of the building and were preoccupied, to put it mildly. Alexia had been challenging Hercules to a wrestling match for days, and apparently Hercules had finally taken her up the offer. The brunette was determined to beat the son of Zeus, but Hercules didn’t go easy on her at all. Alexia was eventually able to get him in a headlock, but Hercules quickly got out of it and began to pin her to the ground.

"All right, that's it! Break it up!" Iolaus demanded as he and Lilith walked up to them. The two looked up and ceased their game of wrestling.

"Sorry about that." Hercules apologized to his friends as he and Alexia got up. "We must have lost track of time."

"You’re lucky they got here when they did," Alexia told him. "I almost had you."

Hercules snorted. "Yeah right! As I recall, I was about two heartbeats away from pinning you."

"Whatever." Alexia scoffed, while admitting to herself that he was right.

"Come on, we have to get going to Corinth." Iolaus said as he turned around and started ahead. The three other cadets quickly grabbed their bags and followed his lead.

"Why is he in such a hurry?" Alexia asked.

"He was getting a bit stir-crazy at the academy," Lilith explained. "Which is more than I can say for you two. Maybe we should have left you behind." Hercules and Alexia gave her looks of mock amusement.

After walking in silence for a few miles, Hercules caught up with Iolaus while Alexia stayed and talked to Lilith. As they went on their way, Hercules noticed that Iolaus wasn't acting like himself. The young hunter was usually very social and energetic, but now he was solemn and extremely quiet.

"Are you feeling all right, Iolaus?" Hercules asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he answered listlessly.

"Are you sure? Is something bothering you?"

"I said I'm fine." Iolaus repeated in a harsh tone. He began walking faster, leaving his confused and hurt friend looking on after him.

"What just happened?" Alexia asked as she and Lilith joined Hercules.

"I asked him if he was all right and he snapped at me. That's not like him."

"What's the matter with him lately?" Alexia wondered.

"He was really anxious to get out of the academy," Lilith remarked. "Once we've been on the road for a while, he'll probably loosen up."

"I don't know," said Hercules doubtfully. "I think there's something on his mind that he doesn't want to talk about."

"Maybe, but for now we should leave him alone until he cools down." Alexia said. Lilith and Hercules agreed and resumed walking together, while Iolaus was in his own world several paces ahead.

Iolaus didn't pay much attention to where he was going, he just needed to go. To feel the wind on his face, to hear his feet on the dirt path beneath him. Deep inside, he felt a twinge of guilt for blowing off Hercules, but he wanted to be alone for the time being. In his head, he pictured himself completely breaking free from the chains of responsibility that were holding him down. The trip was a short one, so he was savoring it for all it was worth.

He glanced over his shoulder once to check on the others. They were busy talking amongst themselves, not too bothered by the fact that he wasn't there. Well, he didn't care. He turned around, breathing in the cool, fresh air. He was soothed by the music of the trees, the wind, and the birds. He closed his eyes, feeling the atmosphere all around him. This was where he truly belonged—not in the academy with books, rules, and curfews. To him, this was paradise; to him, this was freedom.