Content Warning: This is a series that takes place between episodes. The stories build upon the TV series and it is advised that you watch the episodes then read the post-episode (this story) in between. Many references by the characters are very specific to the episodes, so you may not get everything unless you watch at the same time or have the episodes memorized. The series does lead to a romantic relationship between two women, so if you don't like it don't read it.
Goal: To create a more realistic fan fiction story than some I have read. No random sex scenes that would never take place in real life 'like that' (aka L Word scenes). You know what I'm talking about… that never happens.
Talus gently turns Gabrielle's face towards him. He looks at her softly, "I should have told you. Forgive me Gabrielle. All I wanted was a memory of you."
Gabrielle shakes her head with tears in her eyes, "this can't be happening."
"We'll meet each other again someday, on the other side," he said.
"You won't forget me?"
With a genuine compassion, he replied, "How could I?"
She hugs him close, tears streaming down her face. He turns to leave with Celeste. Xena and Gabrielle watch them leave. Talus turns one more time to look at Gabrielle. She turns around and throws herself in Xena's arms. Xena is shocked at Gabrielle's response at first; a little unsure of what to do. Then she puts her arms around her and rests her chin on Gabrielle's head as they watch Talus cross over with Death.
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After Talus has gone from view, Gabrielle is still clinging to Xena with tears staining her face. Xena buries her face into the blond hair and gently kisses the top of her head. "Shh it's going to be alright. Let's get out of here ok?" Gabrielle nods and wipes her tears. Xena leads Gabrielle out of the room where they say their goodbyes to Sisyphus and his wife.
Argo is brought to them when they reach the city gate. Gabrielle is very melancholy and does not feel like walking. "Xena, can I ride with you for a bit?" she asks, knowing that Xena will not refuse because of her current mood. Xena can be quite empathetic at times. Xena jumps in the saddle then reaches down with a gentle smile. Gabrielle grabs her hand and is pulled up quickly. She puts her arms stiffly around Xena.
Down the road a few minutes later, Xena pats Gabrielle's arm and says, "Relax. You can lay your head on my back if you want. You need to rest." Gabrielle immediately takes advantage of the offer. Xena smiles and urges Argo forward. This poor girl keeps getting her heart broken. I wish she wouldn't fall for these village boys so easily. I can't believe he didn't tell her sooner about his heart condition. He shouldn't have led her on like that when he knew he was not going to live. I wish I could protect her more. But I can't help who she gives her heart to. Dammit, maybe I should start speaking up more about it. Tell her to not wear her heart on her sleeve. Gr.. she won't like me telling her that. Besides she wouldn't learn anything that way. The only way to learn about love is to experience it. Right? Why can't she just experience it in a safer way… like with someone that will for sure love her back and won't break her heart. Xena you are pretty much talking about a soul mate here. You can't just conjure one of those up out of nowhere.
"It's ok. I did tell you to relax. I just didn't think you'd fall asleep and fall off the horse." Xena said teasingly while patting Gabrielle on the knee.
"Yeah, you are just so comfortable! Has anyone told you that?" she asked.
"Gabrielle, you were laying against my armor. That couldn't have been comfortable. You were just too worn out to notice." Xena said.
"Yeah I suppose. Can we stop for a minute? I need to use the bushes." They stop and Xena gets off then helps Gabrielle down. The next thing Xena knows is that the bard has her in another hug. She returns it knowing that the bard needs some comfort right now. She knows what it's like to lose someone you care about. "Thanks Xena." Gabrielle wanders off to use the bushes.
Upon Gabrielle's return, Xena suggests that they find somewhere to camp soon. The sun is setting and neither has eaten in quite some time. A couple miles up the road they find a nice spot to camp. Xena catches fish in a nearby river. Gabrielle cooks the fish to perfection. After a silent dinner, which Xena enjoyed a bit of the silence, Gabrielle finally spoke up.
"Can I ask you something? Do you think Talus just wanted something from me because he knew he was going to die and it was his last chance?" She is a little embarrassed to ask such a question, because if the answer is yes then she will feel like a complete idiot for falling for it.
Xena stumbles over her words, "Ah..Uh.. Well I.." frustrated at herself she shakes her head a little to snap out of it. "No. I don't think he was doing that at all. He really liked you, so he wasn't sure how to tell you such a hard thing."
Gabrielle's eyes are still staring at her feet. "Ok. I guess I just feel used. But if you think he really liked me then I guess he did. I wish I didn't hurt like this Xena." Tears formed in her eyes once more.
Xena quickly got up and then sat by her side. "Gabrielle, it's alright. Everyone experiences heart ache like this at one point or another. I didn't know he was so important to you."
"I didn't either, until I realized I wasn't going to have him anymore. Gods you would think that I was in some sort of relationship! I barely knew him; but what I did know was good. I'm sorry I've been talking so much about love. I don't know what's come over me." A moment's pause, "I hope he is ok." She said as she got up to get into her bed roll. Xena followed suit, then stopped.
"Gabrielle, I'm going to go check the perimeter. I'll be back in a minute, ok?" Xena grabs her sword and disappears through the bushes. Oh my dear friend. You have got to learn to pick men that aren't going to hurt you. Actually, if you plan on being the road with me you probably should just forget about love. Unless you want to leave me. Please don't leave me. Oh gods what if she leaves? After checking the perimeter for five minutes, she returns to the camp. She slows as she nears Gabrielle. The bard is crying. Xena accidentally steps on a stick and Gabrielle immediately stops crying. She doesn't want Xena to know. "You still awake?"
In a small voice, "Yeah." Gabrielle wipes her tears but stays facing away from Xena.
Xena notices that Gabrielle did not remove her new boots. She moves to the foot of Gabrielle's bedroll and grabs one foot. "Let me help you with these." She removes both boots and sets them nicely at the end of the bedroll. She covers Gabrielle's feet back up with the fur. "There, now you can go to sleep."
"Thanks Xena. Goodnight."
---
The next day they walk into a town with a rundown tavern. Argo has thrown a shoe and they need to find a blacksmith for the repair work. After dropping Argo off, they decide to head to the tavern to get a drink while they wait. Gabrielle walks in ahead of Xena, completely oblivious to all the men gawking at her. Xena catches several of their looks at Gabrielle and knows exactly what they are looking at; her new skirt really shows off her legs. Xena stares back at the men with narrow, threatening eyes. The men quickly look away. "Gabrielle, why don't you get us a seat? I'll get some drinks."
"Sure, no problem." Gabrielle bounces off towards a table. She is in a very good mood today. Yesterday was a somber affair and she is attempting to put it, and Talus, behind her. Her new outfit is giving her more self confidence. She spots a table but as she walks towards it a man steps in front of her. "Hi, are you taking that table?" she asks.
The man is looking her up and down in a very creepy manner. "No sweetheart, I was coming over to join you. I'm looking for some…companionship. You interested?" He asks as he continues to undress her with his eyes. "I've got a room at the inn we could go to."
Gabrielle doesn't even know what to say, she is in such shock. He walks towards her and reaches out to pull her in. He grabs her and pulls her in for a strong kiss; he begins to touch her in inappropriate places. She begins to struggle and right before his lips touch hers, he finds that his face is met with a fist. He is thrown back against the wall. When he opens his eyes, they are met with fierce blue eyes that are practically on fire. Xena hauls him to his feet and then up off the floor. She is holding him in mid-air. "Don't you dare lay a hand on her again! Got it?! Or you will not have a hand to use, nor eyes to see." She throws him down for good measure.
Xena turns around to find that Gabrielle is in a state of shock. She walks towards Gabrielle and grabs her hand then leads her out of the tavern. Still holding hands, they go pick up Argo, who is thankfully done being shoed. Xena puts Argo's saddle on, gets into the saddle, then hoists Gabrielle up and rides out of the town.
A moment later Gabrielle finally says something, "I can't believe he touched me like that. Why would someone do that?"
Xena's blood is boiling. She wanted to cut his hands off right then and there, but knew she shouldn't. She could feel Gabrielle shaking slightly, so she stops Argo. She slides out of the saddle and reaches up to help Gabrielle down. Gabrielle lands in her arms and Xena cradles her to her chest. "It's ok. He won't bother you again. I'll never let anyone touch you like that again. I should have gotten there sooner, I'm so sorry."
Gabrielle, still a little shocked, says "Thank you for stopping him when you did though. It could have been a lot worse. I'm glad you were there. I know I couldn't stop him. I don't know how to fight yet. Even after all this time watching you, I still don't know what to do." They break their embrace.
"Let's ride for a little longer then set up camp, ok?" Xena hoisted herself and Gabrielle back into the saddle and continued their journey in silence. Xena thought to herself, Maybe I ought to teach her how to defend herself at least. I can't leave her so unprotected.
Beginning of Episode 10 (the next day):
Xena is waiting for Gabrielle as she searches for something. Her eyes dart up into the trees looking from tree to tree. Gabrielle speaks up, "What about this one?" she said while holding up a long walking stick.
"It's lovely," she replies with a little annoyance in her voice. "What's it for?"
Gabrielle is climbing up a hill while using the stick to aid her ascent. "It's a walking stick. It's very useful. You walk with it. You can lean on it if you need a rest." She begins to get more animated while pulling leaves off the stick. "You can kill nasty little critters if you want to lie down." Xena nods her head then looks back to the trees. "Yeah, it's got a good feel."
Xena is smiling, then grabs the stick, "Let me look at this." She pushes Gabrielle out of the way and begins to expertly swing and maneuver the stick like a weapon. "Hmm, not bad." She tosses it back to its new owner.
"Or you could do that… yeah." Gabrielle nods her head. She is very impressed with what her new stick can do.