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. Please read at least a few of my episodes to give it a chance; it's my first time writing fiction.
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.
Xena enters King Gregor's treasury. She finds Gabrielle looking at Pandora's Box. To Gabrielle, she says, "You ready to go?"
Gabrielle looks back, "Sure. I can't believe I touched the box. Pandora's grandmother was cursed because of this. Then Pandora was blessed because of it. Does it all happen because of fate? Or is it just chance?"
Xena smirks in reply, "I think it all happened because you slept on a rock."
Chuckling, "It did, didn't it? Alright, let's go." Gabrielle turns to leave and knocks Pandora's box off the pedestal. It crashes to the ground. They both whip around to see the box open on the ground.
Xena picks it up, "There's nothing in it."
"All these years she's been carrying around an empty box!" Gabrielle exclaimed.
Xena looks at Gabrielle, "The box was empty but Pandora was still carrying her hope."
Gabrielle is concerned, "Well what should we tell her?"
Xena resigns, "We tell her the truth; hope has been and always will be safe. It's inside every one of us." Xena softly smiles at Gabrielle. They turn and walk out of the treasury.
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A month later…
Xena finds herself a little bored; or at least without any violent action. Gabrielle was endlessly chatting, Xena just responding with "mm hm" every now and then. After an hour of "boredom" Xena is on the ground, running circles around Argo and Gabrielle. After a few minutes of this activity, she pulls out her sword and walks backwards while facing Argo and Gabrielle. She practices sword moves as if there is an opponent in front of Argo. She does a few flips, a few kicks, and then suddenly stops. She looks at Gabrielle who appears to be talking to herself. Her hands are flailing as when she is actually talking to a person. But no sound comes out of her mouth, except a small whisper ever now and then.
As we can see, Gabrielle's mind is never bored. She has been trying to come up with a story; a romantic story. After the startup romance of King Gregor and Pandora, she was inspired. She knew that as an aspiring bard, she must have a good tale to capture the hearts of men and women everywhere. Sure the Warrior Princess is good for stories of blood and gore, but not romance. At least, that's what Gabrielle thinks. For the past two hours she has been trying to get Xena to talk about her past. She had planned on nudging her way into Xena's romantic past, but doesn't feel like she is quite ready to talk about it. Especially since all Xena did was blow off Gabrielle's questions and start running circles around Argo. Gabrielle hasn't had much romance in her life. Sure there was Perdicus, but she found him dull and slow, so there was not actual romance there. He was not an intellectual challenge for her, nor one to share in the wonders in life with; and certainly not someone she could have adventures with. Not like Xena.
Xena puts her sword away then decides to see what the bard is doing. Maybe she's gone mad from roaming the countryside with me. Heh. She has a bit of an evil smirk on her face. Her eyes twinkle as she prepares to tease Gabrielle. "Gabrielle… Who are you talking to?"
"Oh I'm not talking to anyone. I'm.. just thinking."
"About?"
"Uh, I've decided that I cannot just have stories about you to share with the world. I must have other stories."
"What story are you working on then?" Xena asked with a genuine smile.
"Well, I don't know. It's just a story. Ya know.." she trailed off, hesitant to say more. She is nervous to tell Xena the story genre as she is sure that Xena will tease her mercilessly. She knows that Xena is bored and she has had a mischievous twinkle in her eye since the conversation started. She looked up to see Xena with a waiting expression on her face.
Xena says, "Well come on, tell me! I like hearing your stories, especially if they aren't about me." Xena senses the bard's hesitance. "Gabrielle, if you don't want to tell me that's ok. I didn't mean to push."
"It's ok Xena. It's just, well the problem..the problem is that I don't know much about the topic at hand. I don't have much, if any experience. So I'm sort of… struggling to come up with a realistic plot. I could easily come up with one that is pure fantasy." Seeing Xena's smile turn up even more with two highly raise eyebrows, she quickly adds "Not fantasy like that.. just.." Gabrielle stops as she realizes that she is blushing now.
"Look, I'm not much of a story teller, but I have been out in the world longer than you and have more, ah hem, experience than you. Maybe it's a topic I can help with?" Xena is so bored she's willing to do anything at this point; even chat a little. She also has a feeling this is going to be a juicy topic, one that apparently the bard will blush about. Hm let's see: doesn't have much experience. Sex? Needs a realistic plot. Love? Romance. That's gotta be it. I really don't think she'd write anything more juicy that simple romance…would she?
Xena is taken back by the fact that Gabrielle read her so well. She didn't know that anyone could read her like that. She stumbles over her words, "uh.. sure Gab..rielle. I won't tease I promise. So tell me, what is your story going to be about?" Xena moves to a nearby stream. There are two boulders next to it. She sits down at one and motions for Gabrielle to sit next to her. Argo wanders off to graze on the grass near the stream.
Gabrielle sits and begins to formulate in her head the best way to say this: Xena I know you must have had sex..er romantic relationships..er love? Xena tell me about your love life…Xena, what's love like? Hmm. Finally she decides how to say it. She was so nervous she was staring at her feet and the words suddenly poured out like a waterfall. "I decided that I need a story of love and romance to share with the world. As always, I want my story to be realistic, but like I mentioned I don't have experience with this. Other than childish crushes when I was young." She takes a deep breath, holding it for Xena's response.
Xena smiles softly, "You are young." A pause, "I haven't had a lot of romance, per se, Gabrielle. But I guess I have had some love in my life. Well, not even some; maybe just one love in my life." She sighs, "What exactly do you want to know? I'll try my best to answer, but don't expect it to be sappy."
Gabrielle laughs softly, "Thanks Xena. Just tell me about him I guess." Gabrielle takes a sip of water.
"Who said it was a him?" Xena said seriously. Which love do I tell her about? I actually have had more than most people would think.
Gabrielle chokes on water spitting it all over Xena. She wipes her mouth and looks apologetically at Xena. "Oh gods I'm so sorry!" Gabrielle starts blushing again. She didn't know if she was more sorry for the spit water or assuming Xena was talking about a man.
A few moments pass, Xena starts laughing. Her mind flashes to her former lovers, at least those she actually cared for; Lao Mae. No she's not ready to hear about Chin yet. "HIS name was Marcus. We use to work together back in the old "glory" days. He is one of the best men I know. He was never really out for himself like many of the others. He never made me feel inferior. He was very smart, attractive, and just knew how to talk to me. Somehow he had gotten through my defenses. I don't know if I can say he was my true love. But I did love him. I still care about him deeply." Xena is lost in thought.
"Everything happened. I happened. I started to lose my way even worse than I already had. Power and greed took root in my heart and pushed him out. How's that for a confession?" Xena smirked sadly.
Gabrielle was in a bit of shock. She didn't expect sappy but this was downright sad. Not much of a love story. "Well I'm glad you've overcome all of that. You will find love again Xena."
Xena's eyes darted to Gabrielle, then she quickly got up and went over to the stream, "Hungry? There are some trout in here." Xena began fishing.
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Beginning of Episode 5 (2 weeks later)
"You see Xena, the way I look at it: Life is an adventure to be explored. And without adventure, what's the point? Granted with you it gets a bit too adventurous. But that's what makes it interesting. Who was it that said, "If curiosity is the food of life, then adventure is a meal"? Gabrielle said as they walked into a village.
"Sounds like something you might have said." Xena points out.
Gabrielle smiles, "oh huh, maybe it was me."