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.
"I've always wanted to study at the Academy. And I might finally have my chance." Gabrielle explained to her.
"Are you sure it's not just to show up this guys father?" She asked.
Gabrielle's face looks somewhat guilty. "Well, ok so he irks me a bit. But this is the Academy! Am I supposed to pass up my shot at a dream come true?"
"Nope." she didn't hesitate to respond. "No one should pass up their dreams." Xena regretfully asks this next question, "How long would you be gone?"
"Oh," Gabrielle's voice is no longer excited. "Maybe four or five years. Maybe a little less, if I study hard." Seeing the look on Xena's face, Gabrielle adds , "You'd hardly notice I was missing."
Xena reassures her that's not true, "Even if I had an army around me, I'd still notice you were missing. Want some company? At least as far as Athens." She asks hopeful that Gabrielle will say yes.
"Well, you've got that Cyclops problem in Caramus to take care of and in case I don't get in…" Gabrielle said.
Xena smiles, "Oh you'll get in Gabrielle. You're a good story teller. I only remember one story told to me when I was young. It was about two orphans who decided to search the world for their families. It's all about their adventures and how they kept searching. But the part I remember most was the end. 'And when the first man reach…'
Gabrielle joined in then took over, '"reached the end of his journey, he found himself…'
Together they said, '"At the beginning.'" They both smiled at each other.
Gabrielle finished the story, '"the family he had sought had traveled the world with him. The only family he'd ever known, ever needed, was standing right beside him.' I know the story."
Xena's face sobered as she realized that the story was like her and Gabrielle. "Thanks for being my family. You're like a sister to me. Now go get your dream."
Xena decides it's time to toughen up. She dries her eyes then urges Argo faster toward Caramus. On her journey, she comes across a wagon that is stuck in the mud. It's a small family with a new born baby. She stops to help. "Hi do you folks need some help?"
The father steps forward, "Yeah, if you have some ideas on how to get us out of this mess we'd be very appreciative. I've been trying for close to an hour. The wheel just keeps spinning when the horses try to pull it."
Xena leans down to assess the situation; glad for the distraction. "Do you have any hay with you that you could spare?" The man shakes his head no. "Alright, let me gather some sticks. I have an idea." She wanders off into the trees near the road. She breaks off several branches, breaking them down to an arms length. She returns to the wagon and puts the branches together under the wheel. She crams them down as far as she can to where the wheel hits the mud. "Ok. Let's you and I push, while your wife drives the horses. Ok?"
"Ok, that's not a problem. Thea will you go ahead and get the horses moving?" Thea responds quickly and gets a hold of their reigns. Urging them forward the wagon starts to creak as it begins to move. The wheel begins grasping the sticks and moves on top of them. After a few moments, the wagon is free of the mud. "Oh thank you so much…I'm sorry I didn't get your name." The man says.
"My name is Xena. And you are welcome, I'm glad I could help." She says with a smile. Xena mounts back onto Argo and with a final wave she bids them goodbye.
Riding down the road goes much quicker than she expects. Must be because Gabrielle isn't here walking beside me. So I guess I'll be getting places quicker now. It's really quiet too. Maybe this will be ok traveling alone again.
Xena turns to see the men still brawling. The inn's tavern is a disaster. Well I guess it's time to kick some butt! "Yiyiieee" she yells out her war cry as she jumps into the middle of the two men. She stops a punch in mid air by grabbing the man's fist. She does the same to the other man, at the exact same time. They stop and the crowd is silenced. "If you two don't take this outside now, I will finish you both outside. You won't like it." She growled. They look at each other then decide to attack Xena. Stupid men!
Xena throws one at a time out the door. She follows with purpose to her stride. She finishes them both off in a matter of seconds by grabbing them both and hitting their heads together. They are out cold. Just to make sure they stay outside, she sits them up back to back then ties her whip around them so they can't get away. She quickly returns inside to help the wounded woman.
The woman is still on the ground, still bleeding. To the girl she says, "Quick, get me a needle and some stitching material." To another bystander, "I need water." To everyone else in the room, "the rest of you get out of my way, clear this room now!" Everyone pops into action. Soon the room is completely cleared out except for the few inn workers. Xena picks the older woman up and puts her on the bar counter. The bowl of water arrives and Xena starts to clean the wound which is bleeding worse than expected. Damn she's slipping. I've got to get this bleeding stopped now! She quickly grabs the needle and goat skin thread. She can't see the opening to the wound very well because it's bleeding so bad. "Ok, I need someone to keep a small stream of water pouring on the wound while I stitch. The goal is to make it so that I can see what I'm doing." The waitress does as instructed. Within a minute she has the gash completely stitched shut. "I need a cloth about 3 feet long." Someone runs into the other room and returns with something that will work. She wraps the cloth around the woman's head with a lot of pressure. The woman is completely unconscious now.
"That's pretty much all I can do for now. Do you have any herbs?" The waitress nods her head, afraid to speak to this intimidating woman. She leads her to the other room where the herbs are kept. Xena finds what she needs then grabs a mug of hot water. She stirs the herbs into the water then takes a small sip. "Perfect. Thanks." She returns to the woman and gets it down the woman's throat. After a few minutes the woman's breathing turns deep, as she is in a deep sleep from the herbs.
The woman's husband asks Xena, "Can I take her up to our room?" Xena nods her head. He scoops the woman into his arms and takes her upstairs. A moment later he returns. "Stranger, I can't thank you enough for what you did. You couldn't have come at a better time. Do you need a place to stay? It's on the house, no charge. Including anything you may need, perhaps a bath?" He looks down at his wife's blood on Xena's hands and body.
Xena smiles a very tired smile. "That would be really great. Thank you. If you have some food, could I get a plate? I'm famished."
He responds, "I'll have a plate sent up to your room in about 30 minutes, after you bathe."
"Thanks. If anything changes with your wife, please wake me. I'm a healer and I can help more if needed." She says with great concern.
The man thanks her and points her to her room for the night. "I'll send my son up with your saddle bags from your horse."
Xena heads up to her room and moment later a young man knocks at the door. "Come." She calls.
He then enters the room. "Ma'am here are your things." He looks at her in complete admiration. "If you don't mind me saying so, you were amazing! The way you stopped both the punches at the same time! You're Xena the Warrior Princess, right?"
She responds, "I am."
"I knew it! I've heard all sorts of stories about you. Do you need some help? I'm a good fighter. I could be your sidekick!"
Her face sobers, "Uh I'm not really looking for anyone right now."
"Why not? I'd be really good. I promise. I know that I would fit the job perfectly." He smiled.
"I don't think so."
"Come on, please? What are you looking for?"
"Well, for starters, I need someone who can cook good food that I don't want to spit out."
"I can cook!" He said.
"I need someone who can deal with my bad attitude and mood swings."
"I don't put up with attitude." He puffed up his chest.
"Someone who is not in it for themselves at all, only to help people."
"I want to help people too." He replied.
Sensing that this conversation could go on forever, she continues, "Someone who is innocent and pure." Not waiting for his response she moves on. She's on a roll, "Oh, and someone who makes me laugh and keeps me entertained; ya know, doesn't stop talking. Intelligent, funny, sassy, nose crinkles when they laugh, short, blond, hmm a good story teller. Someone like Gabr…" She stops mid-sentence. "Alright time for you to leave. OUT!" she yells. He scrambled out the door.
Smiling she grabs her soap and towel. She looks around the room and sees that she actually has a tub in her room. "Wonderful." She slips out of her bloody clothes and into a nice hot tub. "Oh yeah, that's nice." She looks around the room and suddenly feels very lonely. Her thoughts turn to Gabrielle once more. I hope she made it to Athens ok. I wish she would have let me take her there. I would like to have seen her compete too. I love her stories. She tries to be so damn independent. This thought brings a smile to her lips. Damn, I really miss her. I didn't think I would miss her like this.
Xena smiles taking the food, "Thanks." The girl looks back up at her shyly, then with no self control the girl checks her out from head to toe and blushes; lust evident in her eyes. She quickly turns and runs back down the hall. Xena chuckles, "Wow. I'm glad Gabrielle wasn't here to see that. She would have been shocked."
She walks back into her room and sits at the small table. She begins to eat her food. She realizes that she actually cares about what she is going to eat. She use to never care about that. She sniffs a couple odd looking pieces of food, then nibbles each. Hmm. It might be ok. She then begins to fully eat everything. Gabrielle would have made whatever this is better.
---
"I'm not really sure. She seems to be doing better than last night, but I couldn't sleep. I wanted to keep my eye on her." He said. "Come on in, please check her wound if you would."
Xena walks in and checks on the woman. She cleans the wound and re bandages it. "It looks good to me. Did she wake at all last night?" The man shakes his head no. "Ok. Keep giving her the herbs I gave her last night. Do that until tomorrow afternoon. If she doesn't make any progress, take her to the nearest healer. Ok?" he nods the affirmative. "Now, I heard that you guys are having trouble with a Cyclops. Is that true?"
"Um, no not at all. That must be a rumor. I've heard no such thing." He said, surprised by the question.
"Damn." Xena is frustrated. I rode all the way out here for nothing? Well I guess it wasn't nothing, I did help this poor woman. "Alright, well I guess I'm going to go eat some breakfast, then I'll be on my way."
Later that day she decides to camp about an hour outside of Athens. I'll just stay here until the contest is done. If she doesn't come back, then I'll know she won and I will have to figure out what to do with my life.
Two days later she goes into Athens to fish around. She finds out that the contest just ended and that the winner was a girl named Gabrielle. Xena has a strong conflict of emotions. I'm so proud of her. I knew she would win! She's the best there is. But I'm going to miss her. These last three days have been… Gr…Xena decides to head back the way she came, away from Athens and Gabrielle. Maybe I'll find someone to help along the way.
ATTENTION READER: Read past this next paragraph to continue this story…
End of episode 13:
About an hour later, she is walking along a pathway and Gabrielle pops out of the bushes. She runs to catch up with Xena then nonchalantly, like she's been there all along, says "Hi."
Xena looks over with a smile. "So who won?"
"I did."
"Then what are you doing here?" Xena asks.
"Well I know this is going to sound stupid, but I realize why they are telling stories about adventures, you and I could be living them!"
Xena smiles proudly."Well it's good to have you back." They stop as they see a band of thugs. Xena draws her sword.
Gabrielle gets a big smile on her face. "This is going to make a GREAT story."
----
Continuation…see told ya.
The band of thugs comes charging at the dynamic duo. Gabrielle charges in before Xena, taking out the first one with the move Xena taught her, knocking him to the ground on his face. Surprised, Xena hasn't even moved. She snaps out of her revere and charges in after Gabrielle. She takes two men at a time disarming one quickly, just in time to turn around and block a sword coming towards her heart. She pushes back against the man and rams him into a tree. Head butting him, he falls to the ground unconscious. Xena looks back at Gabrielle who is now taking on two men as well with her staff. They are out fighting her, so Xena runs over to assist. She taps on guy on the shoulder. He turns around and she punches him in the face so hard that he instantly falls to the ground; out cold. There is no one left standing, save Gabrielle and Xena. They turn to each other and smile.
"Yup, definitely a good story." Gabrielle laughs. Then she turns to face Xena. "I'm happy to be back. I don't think I could have stayed away from this for long."
Xena smiles, "I'm glad you feel that way. I missed having you around." Xena looks down a little sheepishly, which is highly unusual for Xena. She feels a hand on her arm and looks up from the ground meeting green misty eyes.
"I missed you too Xena…a lot. And I know that you couldn't possibly live without me yacking away all the time!" She pokes Xena in the ribs.
Xena grabs her finger before it strikes again, "Actually…I could live without the yacking. I just don't want to live without it. It was really quiet without you and to be honest, I didn't like it one bit." Xena smiles broadly at Gabrielle. She pulls Gabrielle into a side hug as they continue walking down the path.
---
Gabrielle chatted Xena's ears off for hours about her adventure at the Academy. When hearing of Orion, Xena felt a tinge of jealousy rise up in her. "So this Orion/Homer guy… was he pretty cute?" Xena asks, hoping the answer is no. She could not tell from the bard's story if there was a small romance there or not.
"Yeah, he was pretty cute. But to be honest I didn't even think about that while I was there. It felt freeing not to be thinking of…romance. I was so focused on helping all the guys with story telling that I was too busy to worry about all that. It's amazing to me that so many of the people there had been preparing to be bards their whole life, yet they had so much to learn! And for some reason, I seemed to know more than them and I've never been taught how to do it."
"That's because you're a natural, Gabrielle. Not everyone is automatically good at things. People have to work at it and learn how to do it." Xena replied.
"Yeah I guess. I mean I know I have a lot to learn. And I did learn a few things. I especially learned that I love to teach people. It's a lot of fun." Gabrielle is all smiles at this point. The sun began to set when Gabrielle asked Xena, "So, tell me what you did while I was away."
Xena laughed, "How about we find a place to camp first, get things set up, then I'll tell you after dinner. Sound good?"
"Dinner and a story ALWAYS sound good to me Xena." Gabrielle nudged her friend.
---
After dinner, Gabrielle cleaned up their plates then immediately sat next to Xena and stared at her. Xena, who was sharpening her sword, looked up at the green eyes that were piercing the silence. They were begging for entertainment. Xena sighed and put her sword away.
"Ok. You want to know what I did while you were away? Well I went to Caramus and there was no Cyclops. So I turned around and came back." Xena said very unenthusiastically.
Gabrielle's eyebrows went way up waiting for more. After a few moments of silence, she said, "That's it? That's your whole story?" Xena nodded. Gabrielle blinked a few times then said, "Ok. So no Cyclops. I was gone for several days. What did you do the rest of the time?"
Xena shrugged, "Camped. Nothing too thrilling."
Gabrielle put her head down in her hands. She started shaking her head then looked back up at Xena. "Come on, you are joking right? Please tell me you can fill in some more details. There has to be something you are not telling me."
Xena ponders for a moment. Of course, I could tell her about the girl that checked me out. Or about the guy that wanted to be my sidekick. Or, that when listing what I want in a partner… "sidekick"… whatever… I happened to list everything that describes her. Or the family I helped on the side of the road. Or the fight in the tavern. Or that I followed her to Athens to try to find her and when I found out that she won, I left thinking I'd never see her again. Xena shrugs again.
Gabrielle stands up, obviously a little perturbed. She walks across the fire place and sits on a log staring into the fire. "Warriors! GR!"
Xena smiles, "Bards."
Gabrielle looks over at her, still angry. "Warriors are worse."
Xena shakes her head, "Bards don't stop talking."
"Warriors don't know how to talk."
"Bards don't stop analyzing."
"Warriors don't know what analyzing is."
"Bards are…" Cute. She finished the sentence with a thought. Then she stands up and walks over to Gabrielle. Sitting next to her friend, she pats her on the legs and says, "Ok, on the way to Caramus, I came across a family that had a wagon stuck in the mud. So I helped them free it by putting branches under the wheel. THEN, I got to Caramus way earlier than expected, because there wasn't a walking talking bard by my side. Rides go way faster without that. Get to Caramus; No Cyclops in sight. So I went to the inn and there was a fight, go figure, right? I stop the fight after the guys decided they could take me on. They ended up tied together with my whip outside. The innkeeper's wife was hurt during the brawl, head gushing blood everywhere. I sewed it up. She made it. Next morning I talked to the innkeeper, "no Cyclops here" he said. "Just a rumor" he said. NO CYCLOPS! I was so disappointed. I really wanted to kick some Cyclops butt. The end." Xena shrugged yet again. "See like I said, no Cyclops, turned around and came back, then camped."
Gabrielle is looking at Xena with a stunned expression on her face, jaw dropped. "Xena…I don't think you've ever said that many words to me at once. I think that's a record. So, is that it then, nothing else you are leaving out?"
Xena responded, "Well since I'm telling all I might as well tell you that there was a guy that wanted to be my sidekick and a teenage girl checked me out from head to foot when I was in a towel."
If possible, Gabrielle's jaw dropped even more. "Someone wanted to replace me!!!" Her face got red, "What did you say?"
"That I didn't want a sidekick." Xena shrugged.
"Oh. You don't want a sidekick?" Gabrielle said sadly thinking that might mean her as well.
"No. I already have a partner. Why would I need a sidekick?" Xena smiled softly.
Gabrielle looked up, her face brightened even more. "Oh. Good. Thanks Xena." She laid a hand on Xena's. "I bet the boy probably would have been better than me though."
Xena shook her head, "No way! Are you kidding?" Taking a big risk she adds, "He doesn't meet any of my qualifications."
"Qualifications? You have a list or something?"
"Yeah I sure do. It's a very detailed list." Using her fingers to count the list items, she begins, "Storyteller, amazing heart, patient, able to put up with my mood swings," Gabrielle laughs at this. Xena continues, "funny, smart, sassy, short, and blond. I could go on but I'd run out of appendages to count on…Oh! And they have to be you. That's actually the number one thing on the list. "
Gabrielle can't believe that Xena just said all that. She is so overwhelmed with emotion she doesn't know what to do. Not thinking too much, she envelops Xena in a huge hug. Xena responds, holding Gabrielle tight.
After a few moments they break apart. "Alright, I think it's time for me to go to sleep." Xena ruffles Gabrielle's hair as she stands up and moves toward her bedroll. "Night…partner."
Gabrielle is beaming in the moonlight. From inside out, she feels wonderful. So much so that she cannot even put words to it. Imagine, me speechless. She grabs her bedroll and moves it over by Xena. Without a word she climbs into it and drifts off to sleep, with very happy thoughts about her decision to leave the Academy.
Feeling Gabrielle's presence a mere foot away, Xena smiles as she nods off to sleep. Best day ever.
-----
Beginning of Episode 14 (4 weeks later):
Two men fight over a pouch. One wins, the other get scared off by Xena and Gabrielle. The man on the ground tells Xena that it's a clue to a treasure that Xena knows about. Xena chases the man down and gets one of four clues for the Treasure of the Sumerians. She tells Gabrielle that the clues lead to the Titans Key, which unlocks the Hall of Ambrosia. If a mortal eats Ambrosia, they will become a god. In order to prevent an assassin from getting the clues, she decides to find it herself to prevent a disaster.