Sexual Violence Warning/Disclaimer: This story depicts scenes of sexual violence and/or their aftermath. Some readers may be disturbed by this type of depiction and anyone who is sensitive to this particular issue may wish to read something other than this story.
Hurt/Comfort Warning/Disclaimer: This story may be best classified as a Hurt/Comfort Story involving the characters Xena: Warrior Princess and Gabrielle. Readers who are disturbed by or sensitive to this type of issue may wish to read something other than this story.
Love/Sex Warning/Disclaimer: This story depicts a love/sexual relationship between two consenting adult women. If you are under 18 years of age or if this type of story is illegal in the state or country in which you live, please do not read it. If depictions of this nature disturbs you, you may wish to read something other than this story.
Spoilers: This story contains possible spoilers for seasons 1-3 of Xena: Warrior Princess.
Special Thanks: To my Beta reader. I think this is the beginning of a great relationship.
Written and owned exclusively By: Melissa Albright
No copies or dupes of this story allowed without the Authors consent.
Part 1
Double Helix:
The battle had lasted for days. Gabrielle had grown weary under the constant strain of holding off the enemy. But the final assault on Xena's rag tag army of farmers and merchants had launched. Still Gabrielle had not seen much of the battle herself. Her talents as a healer had been needed for the wounded. The town healer had been killed when Talonius had begun the first wave of attack. Gabrielle had quickly taken over the hospice as wounded were carried in and found herself fighting only, when small battalions managed to slip past Xena's army. Talonius was vicious-- killing his own men when he felt one hadn't fought to his potential. His method of leading was more than Gabrielle ever wanted to witness and nearly more than Xena could stomach. After Talonius' defeat, Xena's eyes had sought out Gabrielle immediately. When she found The Amazon Bard, she drew quickly to her motioning for Gabrielle to follow her to a nearby stream they'd found. No questions. No resistance. Gabrielle followed her leaving one of her trainees in charge of the hospice.
By the time Gabrielle reached the warm springs, Xena had already undressed and had slipped into the shallow water, vigorously scrubbing away the stench and stain of blood and gore from her flesh. When Gabrielle slid her naked body down into the stream, Xena moved to her, standing before the smaller woman, almost intimidating the young bard. Gabrielle glanced up at her and gasped at what she saw. The woman before her spoke, her voice low and gruff.
"Talonius is, but a shadow compared to who I was Gabrielle. I've seen worse, heard worse, hell . . . I've even done worse."
She looked down at Gabrielle with intent, her hands now upon the younger woman's shoulders. She had to restrain herself from squeezing those delicate shoulders, squeezing until Gabrielle cried out in pain. But Gods that's what she wanted to do. To inflict pain upon this woman before her. To make Gabrielle hurt as badly as Xena herself hurt inside. Talonius had been a painful reminder of the hateful monster she used to be. Gabrielle knew all of this. She knew this woman now as well, if not better than she knew the Warrior Princess. Blue eyes usually a clear, vibrant sapphire, were now stormy and cloudy blue. So Gabrielle remained quiet as she watched the woman holding her shoulders in a firm grip, fight desperately for control.
"G . . . Gabrielle, I need . . . I need you." She groaned hoarsely. "I need . . ."
"Yes." Gabrielle whispered. "I know love. I know. It's okay . . . I know what you need. I will never say no to you." With that the tall raven-haired warrior dropped to her knees in the shallow water hugging her arms around Gabrielle's waist. She nuzzled her head against the Amazon's flat belly.
"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." She whispered against the taunt stomach.
"Anything, Conqueror. Anything."
The dark beauty shuddered against Gabrielle at the use of that title and she squeezed gently . . . grateful that this woman loved her.
Later as the conqueror lay sated between Gabrielle's thighs, her head resting lazily on Gabrielle's right thigh. Gabrielle did a quick survey of her bruises. Noting that none of them were too bad and could be easily attributed to the battle . . . that is . . . the visible bruises. The rest of them like the purpling bruises on her left breast and the one just inside the joint between her pubes and right thigh would not be easily explainable . . . but Gabrielle sighed, they wouldn't be exposed for conversation either. Gabrielle smiled to herself ruefully. Oh, she'd had worse and there probably would be days when she'd have worse yet.
The first time had been bad. When the conqueror had approached her . . . Gabrielle had said yes without hesitance unaware of the extent of the duality in Xena's nature . . . neither of them had been thinking. When things began to get a little rough, Gabrielle had become frightened and began resisting. In Xena's state of mind, it had fueled the bloodlust and added kindling to the inferno already blazing within her. She'd taken the bard brutally and in her state, it hadn't registered that the young woman's screams had been screams of pain and not passion. She had really hurt Gabrielle that first time and had feared that maybe she'd succeeded in driving the girl away.
The conqueror had turned over onto her side to hide her tears of shame. She thought of the irony of having felt remorse, guilt, and shame for what she'd done to this young bard, when in her ten year career, she had plowed through numerous villages taking what she wanted from men and women, whether they wanted her to or not. And now she lay weeping like a babe within the womb, her world crumbling as she prayed that the bard would forgive her. And Gabrielle had. In true Gabrielle fashion. She gazed deep into Xena's eyes and her own emerald green eyes had widened in surprise and more than a little fear. "You're not Xena."
"Only the Xena you've glimpsed from time to time. But no, I'm not your Warrior Princess."
"The Horde, and when you came riding into the village to kill me, before Illusia."
"Yes."
"The Conqueror."
'I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Gabrielle, I hurt you . . ." A soft sob. "Please forg . . ."
"Shh." Gabrielle had shushed her, placing small gentle fingers to the conqueror's supplicating lips. "We're okay. But we need to talk."
Gabrielle stroked the top of her lover's head as the woman rested between her thighs. She loved the feel of Xena's weight between her legs. She loved the way the powerful arms wrapped around her possessively. She loved Xena-- Not just the Conqueror. But Xena. All of her. The Conqueror and the Warrior Princess as well.
"Gabrielle, " The conqueror's voice was filled with regret. "The Princess will be awakening soon." Gabrielle stifled her cry of disappointment, but she knew they had to move. Once Xena awakened, she would remember only their bath and then falling asleep. She hated lying to the Warrior Princess, but how else was she going to explain to Xena . . . Sometimes when you return from the battle, you're not you and you come to me to ease your battle lust. 'Shyeah right. That'll go over well.'
"What is it Little One?" The Conqueror asked worried by Gabrielle's silence.
"I . . ." Gabrielle looked away from her. The Conqueror moved her body up Gabrielle's shorter length, until she was laying flat atop the woman, carefully not letting all her weight rest on the beauty beneath her. She studied Gabrielle's profile. She didn't have to see into those verdant eyes to know there was sadness there.
"I hate lying to you." Was whispered softly.
"I know." She captured Gabrielle's lips with her own and moaned as softness pressed against her own. "God, you're so amazing." The Conqueror spoke breathlessly breaking the kiss.
"I miss your arms at night." Gabrielle moved her fingers along powerful biceps and up to
those broad shoulders, squeezing reflexively. A soft sob escaped her throat. "This is so hard."
"It'll be alright, love. I promise you. It'll be alright." The Conqueror felt her own heart breaking. She couldn't stand Gabrielle's sorrow. She had to make the Warrior Princess come to her senses somehow. She held Gabrielle to her allowing the woman the solace of tears. Gabrielle nuzzled into The Conqueror's chest and let her tears fall.
'You love her, Princess, as much as I do. I know you love her, I can feel it, but you're overlooking the woman in you're attempts to protect what you persist in seeing as the young girl.' She looked at Gabrielle and with regret, she pulled away and felt her heart shatter once more as a barely stifled whimper escaped those gentle lips. 'I'll fix this Gabrielle.' She thought to herself. "Come love." she whispered gently.
Gabrielle gathered her clothing and followed the Conqueror to the lake and the women quickly washed and redressed. And returned to the place where they'd laid in each other's arms just moments before. Yawning, the Conqueror kissed Gabrielle quickly on the lips and lay back closing her eyes.
Gabrielle watched wistfully as sleep took the dark warrior. Then she stood to her feet, and moved to a nearby clearing and began some drills with her staff. She quickly lost herself in the exercises. She needed desperately to escape her sorrowful thoughts.
She worked up a good sweat. She moved with a dancer's grace.
The setting sun behind her over the lake was casting a red aura around her. Her hair still damp from the swim, she looked like a water nymph who'd taken human form. At least that's what Xena thought. The Warrior Princess awakened, rested and fitful from her long nap, and now studied her friend with pride and appreciation. 'She's become quite deadly with that thing.' Xena admitted. She had noted that the number of attackers Gabrielle could stand down had increased. She had been proud when Gabrielle had been able to take on two even if with difficulty, and now. She'd seen the bard in a fury plow through ten.
Gabrielle turned slowly, having long since felt those blue eyes burning into her. Xena's breath caught in her throat for a moment. Something about the way Gabrielle had moved as she turned and raked her fingers through the long, strawberry blond tresses. It had been the most sensual thing The Warrior had seen. She shook her head, 'Stop. This is Gabrielle, you're thinking about.' Xena was up and jogging the short distance to her friend but stopped a small distance away.
"Enjoying the show?" Gabrielle's smile was slow and lazy, her eyes meeting vibrant sapphires; she hid her love for the warrior away and allowed only a smile of friendship to stretch her lips.
"You amaze me sometimes. Well, lots of times." Xena smiled almost shyly as Gabrielle approached. "You've gotten so good with that thing . . ." she gestured to the staff. "You won't be needing me soon." Underneath the teasing chuckle, Gabrielle sensed the timbre of fear in Xena's voice at that observation.
"Xena." Gabrielle reached out and placed a hand on a tensed bicep. Xena shivered at the familiarity of that touch. "I will always need you." Gabrielle broke the tension with a wicked grin. "Of course I could just toss the staff and we could always go back to the 'I talk, you fight' days." they both laughed.
And as Xena looked down into those green eyes, so alive with light, so soft with love and warmth, fear of losing the bard gripped her again for a moment. Gabrielle's joke suddenly seemed like a good idea. But the memory of that temple in Thessaly reminded Xena why her bard needed to be able to fight. "Let's get back to the village." Xena nodded quietly and followed Gabrielle to small village they had protected.
She couldn't help noticing the sway of Gabrielle's hips. The confident stride of her small companion, the new sensuality in the way Gabrielle held herself. She studied villager's interaction with Gabrielle, noticing how many of the men and women were either completely taken by the bards smile or shied under it. They touched her often. Xena squirmed, not quite thrilled by how many people seemed to find it necessary to actually touch Gabrielle. Some of them seemed to not understand the term personal space.
She followed Gabrielle to the hospice. Her chest swelling with pride at how well Gabrielle had the place running. The bard moved from patient to patient with the quiet warrior in tow. She never once made Xena feel invisible, taking the time to give the warrior warm smiles that made Xena's heart nearly burst from her chest. She asked Xena's advice on the treatment on particular patients and introduced Xena to many of the women under her tutelage. Xena had been approached by many that had wished to thank her for helping them defeat Talonius. She'd almost become overwhelmed by the expressions of gratitude. She would never get used to that.
Xena was glad this little skirmish was over. She felt strange, out of balance somehow and she did not like it, especially here with so many people around. She needed to be alone with Gabrielle, to enjoy her friend's companionship without the constant presence of others. And she was troubled too by this sudden awareness she felt of Gabrielle's presence. She loved Gabrielle. She always had and always would, but this felt different. She was having trouble defining it.
Xena studied the remarkable young woman closely. 'She's matured so much, but then we've been through so much these past few seasons. God's the number of times I've nearly lost her.' She shuddered when she thought of Gabrielle's 'sacrifice'. The vivid memory of Hope and Gabrielle embracing as they plummeted into the fire pit together made her heart skip a beat. 'Gabrielle had been willing to die to save my life.'
Xena glanced away quickly under the pretense of surveying the hospice but truth was, if she hadn't looked away from Gabrielle right then, Xena was afraid she'd do something stupid like fall on her knees and beg the young bard to never leave her. 'I'm feeling selfish.' She admonished herself. 'But everything I feel for her is so intense, but then our adventures together have been rather extreme. We've betrayed each other. Tried to kill each other and still we are here in this world together, walking the path of atonement guided by a love remarkable enough as to forgive the unforgivable.'
She watched the villagers flock around her bard. People really were helplessly drawn to her. And at the moment Xena was resenting that. She wanted Gabrielle's attention alone and she didn't want to share it. The strangest thing happened in that moment. It was almost as if Gabrielle had sensed Xena's thoughts. The bard approached her and sighed.
"I find myself missing the night sky." She gave Xena an apologetic smile. "Since Talonius is gone . . . could we camp outside the village, Xena, and just be here during the day to help with their rebuilding?" Gabrielle frowned. "I'm sorry . . . I wasn't thinking. You would probably enjoy a soft bed after these last . . ."
"No!" Xena blurted "I mean . . . I am beginning to feel a little claustrophobic here."
Gabrielle merely smiled again and gently squeezed Xena's hand. The warrior felt her pulse quicken at the innocent touch. It was as if her body craved Gabrielle's touches. Every touch felt familiar, but intimately familiar. It mystified her.
After helping with the village reparation, Xena hoped that she and the bard would be able to avoid civilization for at least two moons. The daily run of bad guys taken into consideration of course. But luck was not with the warrior. A few weeks of travelling rarely traveled roads; they'd been tracked down. The Amazons had need of their queen for treaty negotiations. The visit had been short, merely a week, but had left the dark warrior unsettled and insecure of her standing with the young Queen. Yet a moon's passing after they were back on the road things had seemed to settle back into a comfortable routine for them. Still there was an uneasy edginess beneath the surface. Something was bothering the bard; Xena could almost taste the aura of tension around Gabrielle. The bard however, gave no indication that anything was bothering her or that she might want to talk about it.
Reckoning:
With a high-pitched warrior yell Xena was at Gabrielle's side in an instant. She glanced at the three unconscious mercenaries at Gabby's feet. "I'm impressed." Xena smirked at her young companion. Gabrielle grinned.
"I learned from the best." She eyed the three scraggly men and pushed her hair out of her face. "Didn't even break a sweat." Her laughter was light and tickled the warrior's soul.
"You're breaking my heart." Xena purred. "You didn't leave any for me." A series of shouts from the wood ahead alerted them both to an additional danger. Gabrielle laughed again.
"Xena, I wouldn't worry about it." she looked at the small advancing party. "Looks like there's more from where these three came from."
"Yeah. And we're sending them right back. Aiyieyieyieyie!" with her notorious Battle Cry she was up in the air and coming down fast and hard with her feet aimed at the chest of two of the advancing men.
Gabrielle ran behind her and used her staff to pole volt herself into the closest assailant. Xena saw the move . . . she liked it. Her little Gabby had picked up a few of her own tricks it seemed. She had noticed that Gabrielle was experimenting more in fights, especially after their last visit to the Amazons. Her moves and actions were becoming more spontaneous. Though Xena admitted pride in that, it also left her fearful, fearful that one day one of Gabrielle's on the spot ideas would get her hurt or worse. But Gabrielle was a grown woman. Xena had cautioned her to used good judgement, but in the end Gabrielle's decisions were her own. That had been an argument between them that had hurt the Warrior Princess and at the same time filled her with a new admiration and respect for the small fiery spirited blonde fiercely defending her right to make her own decisions
" I wonder where they're from?" Gabrielle cast a glance at the retreating backs of the mercenaries. It was a joke and Xena knew it. A bad joke, but still the warrior princess had to stifle the chuckle that threatened.
"I don't know." she smiled. "And I don't care as long as they go back and stay there."
"I bet you could use an ale about now." Gabrielle smiled. She knew Xena well. There were three things the Warrior wanted badly after a good fight. To clean her sword, an ale and . . . She blushed thinking of the other thing. From the blush on her face, Xena guessed the turn Gabrielle's mind had taken and a smile tugged at her sternly set lips. Although she would never have guessed at the memories which were really the reason behind that tinge of red to Gabrielle's cheeks.
"Get your mind out of the gutter." Xena snarled playfully.
"We still have two flasks full of ale from the last town we visited." Gabrielle's voice was suddenly serious. It had been a long time. Since Talonius, that Xena or rather the Conqueror had turned to her in battle lust. Gabrielle's body was feeling the strain of that.
"Good." Xena nodded as they headed back to their encampment. Xena set to task cleaning her sword, while Gabrielle set about getting a meal prepared. She'd been in the middle of preparing dinner when those mercenaries had interrupted her. Xena took a deep breath as the scent of the stew Gabrielle was preparing infiltrated her nostrils. She could smell the fresh herbs and spices she had bought Gabrielle in Athens. Gabrielle could work miracles with their sometimes-meager findings. Of course, the young woman was a magician in the kitchen as well. Their trip to Amphipoles had attested to that. Gabrielle had demanded she be allowed to help in the kitchen in payment for their room and board. Of course Cyrene had argued . . . unsuccessfully.
"But Gabrielle, You've already agreed to share your stories." The innkeeper had looked to her tall warrior daughter for help. Xena knew better. She threw her hands up, palms out in an 'I'm out of this.' gesture and escaped to the safety of the barn.
Xena had no idea what Gabrielle had said to her mother. But when she had poked her head into the kitchen later that evening, it was to find Gabrielle happily humming over a large number pots and Cyrene had been scurrying about assisting the bard as though it were Gabrielle's kitchen.
'She's going to make some man very happy one day.' Her smile faltered as she thought of the last time that Gabrielle had left her in the pursuit of matrimony. A terrible ache filled Xena's chest suddenly. 'Gods!' She closed her eyes tightly against the onslaught of that pain. Her head lowered so that Gabrielle could not witness this. She took a deep breath and sighed softly. 'No,' she realized. She had to stop thinking like that. Gabrielle had shown no interest in men, actually no interest at all of late.
Xena had begun to think the young woman had little inclination where sex was concerned. The last visit with the Amazons had been a shocking awakening. Perdicus had helped Gabrielle passage into womanhood. Had even awakened the bard to the sensations of pleasure, but now Xena understood. That Gabrielle, had she remained she would never have been happy with the would-be farmer. Xena had sensed it the moment Gabrielle was over her mourning. There had been a new sensuousness that had not been there in the bard before. The way she would turn her face to the sun and let it caress her skin. The way she bathed herself, slowly luxuriating in the feel of her finger tips against her skin.
Gabrielle was proving to be a very sensual creature. Yet Xena had been thrown off by the way the girl seemed oblivious to the advances of men. Oh, sometimes she flirted, but Xena could sense there'd been no real interest. 'Thank the god's.' But she couldn't understand how Gabrielle could have become so sensually mature and yet so removed from the opposite sex's attention. Even Iolas, whom Gabrielle had once fancied, had been unable to recapture the bard's interest.
Among the Amazons, Gabrielle had been different. She had thrived on the attention the warrior women had given her, even encouraged it. Xena let her mind drift to their baths together. Gabrielle fingers on her back and neck. Her fingers washing languidly through Xena's hair. The Bard had the art of touch. Xena's body would become infused with the electricity from her friend's touch, wanting nothing more than to turn and gather the girl into her arms and kiss her, love her. 'But she deserves so much more. A roof, a good decent home and someone who won't chase after warlords and leave her a widow again. Children, Gabrielle would be wonderful with children.' She thought of Solan and how much he had loved Gabrielle. She had long stopped blaming Gabrielle for his death. Even if Xena had succeeded in killing Hope as an infant, she realized that wouldn't have been the end of that demon spawn. Seemed Hope was resourceful when it came to escaping the grip of death.
'No, there was no blame.' Only love for this woman who had stood beside her time and time again. The woman she had almost killed in her rage. Xena would forever feel the deep shame of that. Gabrielle had always been her home and she had walked out, nearly destroying that home. She placed her sword in its sheath and lay it on the ground with her Chakram. It was getting dark and she moved closer to the fire, closer to Gabrielle.
"Almost ready." Gabrielle smiled up at her, then paused for a moment. "You were a million miles away over there." she looked at Xena warmly. "I could sense it. Is something wrong?" she touched Xena's arm. Xena eyed her steadily, her face unreadable. Gabrielle lowered her eyes and looked away. "I'll go get that ale." she moved to rise, but Xena's hands raised to her arms to stay her. Gabrielle looked once again into hooded eyes. "Xena, what is it?" she raised a soft hand to Xena's cheek, caressing it. Xena breathed in sharply, her eyes closing at the exquisite torture of that innocent caress.
"Gabrielle." Xena breathed the name. It was almost a plea. "Gabrielle." She whispered it again. She tried to say the words, 'I love you: I need you, don't ever leave me. You are my whole world.' but the words would not form on her quivering lips. Instead she opened her eyes and Gabrielle saw the words there, behind a thin veil of fear and pain and want. Words that Gabrielle had imagined herself saying hundreds of times to Warrior Princess. She moved to her knees in front of Xena so that they were face to face.
"I love you." Gabrielle sighed. With all that I am, I love you." When Xena opened her mouth to speak. Gabrielle touched her fingertips to her lips to silence her. She looked like an angel the way the fire crackled behind her casting a halo around her hair. "When Perdicus died, I was so torn up inside with the guilt of never truly loving him. How could I when I already loved you? All this time Xena, it's always been you."
"Shh." Xena pulled her against her. "I love you now. I loved you then." Xena allowed her own tears to mingle with Gabrielle's. "Let me have the rest of this lifetime to show you that."
She pulled Gabrielle against her and their lips met for a long soul searching kiss.
"That stew about ready?" Xena's abrupt question awakened Gabrielle from her daydream. "And where's that ale you promised me?" Xena studied Gabrielle's flushed features and furrowed her brow with a worried frown. "Are you alright, Little One?" she asked softly, concern, softening her blue eyes.
"Sure I am." Gabrielle responded her tone a little sharper than she intended. "I'm okay." she amended gently. "I'll get that ale." She stood, moving away from the fire and the pot of stew.
Gabrielle walked over to their saddlebags, fighting the tears that threatened to fall. She fumbled with the bags for few moments longer than necessary for composure's sake. When she returned to Xena and handed the woman the flask of ale, it was with a lighthearted smile.
Xena continued to study her cautiously, Gabrielle became tense and edgy under her close scrutiny. "Xena, I'm okay, really. So please stop gawking at me like an experiment gone awry!" 'Damn! That had been too snappy.'
Xena's eyes darkened; her feelings had been hurt by the sharpness in Gabrielle's voice. She looked down at her flask and took a drink. This was becoming more and more frequent, Gabrielle's annoyance with her. Xena didn't like it. She didn't like it one bit. She didn't like it because she knew what it meant. Gabby was becoming restless. Xena shivered slightly. Fear clutched at her heart. Gods, could she take losing Gabrielle again? For a moment, the way Gabby had looked at her before she slipped into her dream world, Xena had thought, maybe . . . had hoped that Gabrielle had read her mind. Had known what she was thinking, had seen how much, 'how can we be so close and she not know how I feel? How much I need her in my life?'
"Xena." Gabrielle knelt down in front of the warrior princess. "I'm sorry." She looked down, ashamed at how she'd responded to her best friend's concern for her. "You didn't deserve that." she breathed in and out raggedly. "I don't have an explanation." she lied. "I don't know what's come over me." 'Yes I do. It's you, you, you, you! Oh Xena, I want you so much. I want to feel your kiss again. Oh Gods! I find myself almost wishing for another battle. It seems only that dark battle lusting side of you desires me.'
'She's off in that dreamland again.' Xena realized jealously. 'Where does she go? Who does she hold in her dreams?'
Gabrielle snapped back suddenly blushing when she realized she'd been daydreaming again. Xena's eyes were shadowed, hooded. "You're probably hungry." Gabrielle smiled and grabbed up two bowls. She filled them each with stew and Xena had to admit, she was hungry.
Darkness settled in finally. Gabrielle was still wearing her Amazon mid-drift and skirt. The rust colored mid-drift showed off that tight, suntanned belly. And the skirt, although much longer than Gabrielle's warrior in training skirt, had several splits that revealed different parts of Gabrielle's legs and thighs, depending on how she moved. Those legs were well toned and shapely. The jewel bands that traveled up her arms like silver vines accentuated her toned biceps. Xena ate her stew in silence. Of course, the Amazons had found Gabrielle appealing. She was always more sure of herself when they visited. And Gabrielle was rapidly changing. She didn't realize how alluring she was, the way she walked carrying her staff comfortably in her hand like an extension of her arms. The way she'd tilt her head up and caress her throat when she was trying to think of a way to kindly disagree with a plan.
Gabrielle didn't eat much of her stew, to both of their surprise. "Well isn't that a first?" Gabrielle feigned a laugh.
She stood up abruptly and began cleaning up the dishes, gathering firewood closer for the night's easy reach. When Xena laid out their bedding, for a minute it appeared that Gabrielle was going to decline sleeping beside her. Xena had been caught completely off guard by the hesitance she'd seen in Gab's face. They'd been sleeping side by side now for a long time now. A month after Perdicus had died; Gabrielle had begun occasionally sneaking her pallet closer to Xena's in the night. When Xena had died and come back, her nightmares of being left and abandoned by all those she cared for had gotten worse. One night she had awakened screaming for Xena, tears falling down her face. She'd held onto the warrior princess with fierce desperation. "Please don't leave me again. Please don't die Xena." The next night Xena had combined the bedding making one pallet for her and Gab. And though she'd been unaccustomed to it, waking up in the morning with Gabrielle's arms around her made her happy.
Gabrielle looked at the bedding with hesitance. She didn't know if she could control her body's responses to Xena being that close to her. It was getting more and more difficult each night. But she knew Xena wouldn't understand this sudden desire to sleep alone. Especially after having witnessed Gab's odd behavior that day. 'She'll think I'm ticked at her.'
Gabrielle lay down Xena, who was quietly hurting. She instinctively reached out to pull Gabrielle closer to her and felt the bard tense for a moment and then relax. "Gabrielle," she spoke in Gabrielle's ear. Gabrielle felt a wrenching in her gut at the pleasure Xena's warm breath on her ear lobe created. And her voice vibrated in Gabrielle's ear almost caused the young Queen to tremble. "I'm sorry. I'm not much help for you these days. I wish I could help you with this. Whatever this is." She closed her eyes. Then whispered. "Whatever, you need. I'm here for you Little One."
"Thank you." Gabrielle's voice was almost breathless. Xena wished she could see the Amazon's face, but she settled for hugging her fiercely, then relaxing her embrace.
Hours later, Gabrielle, slipped from Xena's arms quietly and disappeared into the wood. She sat with her knees up to her chin, weeping. How much more of this could she take? Xena's hand had accidentally brushed against her breast in sleep and Gabrielle had nearly whimpered in torture.
"By the Gods this is so unfair. Why do you torture me, Aphrodite? Morpheus, why have you turned my dreams against me?" Her body ached with pent up need. She could have at least given herself some relief, but she had been afraid of being caught. It was seldom that she was out of Xena's sight. And when Xena did leave camp, it was unpredictable when she'd return. Sometimes she would sneak back to try to catch Gabrielle unaware, one of her many ongoing lessons in safety and alertness she had been giving the bard over the span of their friendship.
This was maddening! Gabrielle ached everywhere to be touched. Her nerve endings were so alive. The wind brushing against her arm raised goose pimples on her skin. Gabrielle stretched her legs out. Her hand moved languidly against a thigh, slowly as she tortured herself with light strokes across her sensitive thigh. She shuddered at the simple touch, imagining it was Xena's hand moving slowly up her thigh. Slipping down and moving upward between it and her other thigh. Gab's head fell back. She stroked the length of her vulva and moaned Xena's name.
She pulled her hand away frustrated. "Xena." she moaned softly and dropped her face into her hands and wept once more. "Gods this aches." She went back to camp and sat for a long moment by the fire before returning to the warmth of Xena's arms. She nestled in against Xena needing the closeness. She needed those arms around her. Sleep was far away, but she was content to lie there. Xena mumbled in her sleep and tighten her arms around Gabrielle possessively.
Gabrielle lay there gritting her teeth when Xena's finger began lightly moving across her thigh in a torturous caress. Gabrielle wanted to slam her head back against the ground. So unfair! So unfair! This was why she been hesitant to sleep beside Xena. Fingers moved higher and Gabrielle had to stifle a gasp. "Please!" she prayed silently, "Please!" the fingers skipped Gabrielle's needy mound and stroked the flat of her abdomen. She couldn't take it anymore; she did the only thing she could think of that would end her torture. She moved to get up. She would make up some excuse in the morning, but she could not sleep beside the warrior one more night.
With another mumbled protest, Xena pulled the bard against her and held her securely as if sensing the woman's intent even in her sleep. Subconsciously afraid Gabrielle would slip away from her life in the night, in her sleep she sensed that Gabrielle left her sometimes at night and she feared that one of those nights Gabrielle might not come back.
Artemis stepped in to the hall of mirrors, stood beside Aphrodite and looked down into the reflecting glass at the images of the two sleeping forms. She couldn't help, but smile a little at the sight of her chosen so closely held in the arms of the warrior. Happiness is so fleeting. She looked sadly at Aphrodite
"Father is . . ."
"I know." Aphrodite whispered. All of Olympus had felt the pain of Zeus demise.
"Ares has the throne."
"Yes." Aphrodite smiled sadly. "He has."
Artemis dropped her head in sorrow. Of all of Zeus children, she had been his favored, and she had held him dear in her heart. "What are we going to do, Dite?"
The goddess of love shook her head and frowned. Zeus had been a fool. He should never have accepted Dahak's challenge to fight and to fight in the dark god's very own realm where none of the other Olympians could help him. It had been a trap. But Zeus' pride had been wounded under the Dark One's implication that Zeus had grown weak and that he relied too often on his children to fight his battles. A fool! But it hurt to know he was gone. Gone forever.
"Mother?" Artemis inquired softly about the Queen.
"Hera hasn't left her private rooms since he left for the dark realm."
Ares entered the hall, his shoulder's sagged and Aphrodite was taken by the irony of just how often Ares had gone after Zeus throne. Now he had the throne and the power and yet . . .
"It is done. War has been declared." Both goddesses gasped. "The world will need an army the likes of which it has never before seen and at the head of that army . . ." Both women looked at him waiting. They knew who would lead the army, Hercules. He was the only logical choice . . . but that was not the name Ares spoke. Artemis felt anger rush through her.
"Ares! Curse you." she growled. "When does it stop? Even now all you can think about is a new way to bring your precious Warrior Princess back to you . . . that you would stoop to this now as King . . . I will not have you hurt My Chosen this way."
"Don't!" Ares hissed. "You think what you will. That is not so. The Fates have chosen this woman. And can you deny her potential? She was sired by one of us after all." He challenged.
"Yes." Artemis growled "sired by one of us and even now she struggles with the power of her godblood. She has little control left. What do you think will happen if all her control slips? What will happen to your precious Xena, Ares? She won't come back to you particularly if she loses Gabrielle. And this could very well sever the tie."
"You underestimate them both." Ares spoke in defense of Gabrielle, surprising even himself. "Listen," he spoke to both of his sisters. "When I went to the Fates, I was prepared to hear them speak the name of Hercules. I dreaded it, but I was prepared for it. And I was prepared to go to him and do whatever it took to convince him of what was to come."
He looked down at his hands, then lifted them to his head and removed the crown to look at it. "Zeus wore this crown and his essence remains in its bands. A part of me wanted to send a lightning bolt down to the earth and end that half-breeds life in honor of our lifelong hatred for one another and then the hatred burned away. And I saw what I had planned to do to the world. The very thing Dahak plans. And I am shamed by my past deeds." He looked up again at his sister and aunt, allowing them to see his truth, his pain.
"War is necessary, but I made it a game. Putting the lives of innocence out like snuffed fires. Innocent lives that had potential. And I took that away from them, their families, and the world. And I can't erase what I've done, but by Zeus' crown, I'll do whatever is necessary to ensure that Dahak does not destroy our humans."
"You speak the truth." Artemis breathed. "So if she takes the helm will we win the war?"
"The Fates are unable to see that far." he answered. "They only know that if we are to have any chance at all, she must be at the forefront of this war. The Dark One god has amassed
many followers in our realm. Not to mention his own half-breed that will be leading his army.
"Gabrielle's Daughter?" Ares flinched and nodded.
"Wait a minute." Aphrodite finally spoke. " This is going to throw like a major kink into my plans for those two." She pouted.
"On the contrary." Artemis smiled sadly. "I think now they will need your assistance more than ever. If anything is going to save those two, it will be their mutual love for one another."
"We have work to do." Ares spoke.
"Have you told him?" Artemis spoke softly.
"Yes, he knows. And he'll be there." He grimaced at the unpleasantness ahead. Now it's time for me to pay my daughter and her Bard a surprise visit."
"I must go to my Amazon's."
Xena opened her eyes suddenly and was leaping to her feet, sword in hand. Ares! She knew it was he, but something, something felt different . . . Gabrielle awakened when she felt Xena shifting around on the blankets. She looked up to find Xena sword in hand, and the warrior pivoting cautiously. "Xena." Gabrielle spoke cautiously. Uncertain that this wasn't another of Warrior's nightmares. She looked around the sunlit clearing seeing nothing.
"Ares." Xena explained, sparing Gabrielle a brief glance.
"I love how you do that." Ares smile materializing before them. Gabrielle leapt to her feet, grabbing up her staff on the way. Ares hid his smile at that. The girl has spunk.
"What do you want, War God?" He folded his arms across his chest and stroked his beard. It was then that Xena saw it. 'He doesn't have his sword! Then how could he . . .?' She backed away, moving Gabrielle with her. Putting herself and Gabrielle some distance from him. Something was terribly wrong.
"I've come to claim something." He spoke softly.
"Ares, this is getting old. I'm never . . ."
"You think too much of yourself, Xena."
With a flip of his wrist there was a small flash of light and Xena felt herself collapse to the ground, belly down. He had intended to reason. To be logical and calmly explain things, but his daughter's insolence always got to him. No matter that she had reason.
No! She lifted her head as he slowly approached Gabrielle's retreating form. Gabrielle was twirling her staff with precision prepared to fight . . .
"No!" Xena screamed. "Please, don't do this just to get to me!"
Ares turned to her and shook his head. "You don't get it do you?" He turned back to Gabrielle. "I'm here for you." He looked at Gabrielle, who stared at him with shock and disbelief. "Gabrielle, you have run from the truth long enough." Gabrielle flinched. "You know who you are, do you not?
"Gabrielle, don't listen to him!" Xena cried. But Gabrielle nodded quietly, dropping her staff to the ground. She had known the day would come when she would have to own up to her lies. When the sickening truth about her would be revealed. She looked at Xena's prone body on the ground. 'Gods,' Gabrielle blinked, 'she would take on even the gods for me, but will she after this? After she hears who I am, whom I belong to. Or will she turn away in disgust?'
"What do you want Ares?" She sighed, prepared to hear the war god blackmail her and tell her to leave Xena's side or else. But she wouldn't run anymore. If there was to be truth, let it be now.
"No!" Xena yelled frantically. "I'll kill you, You bastard. Don't touch her!"
He moved like lightening and stood before Gabrielle, his face lowered a mere inch from hers. It was then that she saw the crown upon his head. She cringed inwardly. 'Zeus is dead!' "I've come to claim you as My Chosen." Ares voice was soft in her ear, but the bolt of pain that ripped through her body nearly brought her to her knees.
"No!" She wailed in pain. "No!" She gripped his arms for support and struggled against him at the same time. "Why are you doing this?" She screamed as another bolt of pain sliced through her.
Xena struggled desperate to free herself. Her heart anguishing at Gabrielle's obvious pain.
Gabrielle looked up at Ares. Her eyes filled confusion, fear, and pain had His ice heart nearly melting, but the transfer had to be completed. Gabrielle shuddered. "Ares, I can't . . . withstand the darkness if I . . ."
His eyes narrowed and hardened. He passed his hands over her eyes and Xena shook and cried out as Gabrielle fell to the ground.
"No! Please no!" Gabrielle moaned and cried out in agony. She was whimpering at whatever vision Ares had bestowed upon her.
"Leave her alone!" Xena wailed. She fought once again to stand and again found herself stuck to that spot as though a wall pinned her down. Ares shook his head, reached down to the suffering young woman and pulled her into his arms. He held the trembling form close and cursed himself for resorting to such heavy handedness. He was the King of the Gods now . . . he would have to learn to control that. "Shh." He willed the visions away. "Hush Bard." he soothed.
"It's true then? He's dead and Hope lives? " Gabrielle spoke through tears. She didn't try to pull away from him. Surprised at the comfort she felt in his embrace. He squeezed her gently.
"Yeah, it's true." He spoke softly again. "I was never favored by Zeus. And well you know the feeling was mutual. But even so, I wish that it weren't true. But the truth now is we need you. We need you both." He looked down into her face. And set her to her feet, steadying her when she swayed slightly. Gabrielle moved away from him once she regained her equilibrium.
"If you're the new . . . then who's the . . .?
"I am." The bard gasped as Artemis appeared wearing Ares sword.
"But you're the Goddess of the Amazons, you . . ."
"I still am, Gabrielle. I have named you by my right as the Goddess of War, of the Hunt, and of the Amazons: you are my chosen."
"And I, Gabrielle." Aphrodite appeared "by my right as the Goddess of Love, claim you as my chosen." It went on as each of the Olympian gods appeared in succession, each staking their claim to the bard. Each calling her their chosen and with each claiming, Gabrielle felt her fear rising. It was too soon . . . too much at one time and she needed . . .
"Please, I need Xena!" Gabrielle sobbed.
"As you wish." Xena felt the force holding her down vanish and with a yell, she leapt to her feet and to Gabrielle's side, pulling her out of Ares arm and into her embrace.
"Gabrielle . . ." she searched the younger woman's sorrowful eyes. "Are you okay?"
"No. . ." Gabrielle shook her head sadly. "I don't know if I'll ever be okay again."
Artemis looked away sadly. Aphrodite's heart constricted in her chest. Xena stared at the Gods in confusion. A feral warning in her gaze as she dared them to touch her bard again. She clutched Gabrielle, tightly . . . feeling completely helpless. What in Hades is going on here!
"It's time, Gabrielle. There is someone else who wishes to speak with you." Ares spoke the gentle command. Xena felt the woman shiver against her and all of her protective instincts kicked in. She spun around putting herself between Gabrielle and her tormentors.
"No!" Xena hissed. "Time is up. You've done enough already."
"Xena!" Ares warned. He knew he should have explained things to his daughter, but he had little patience with her . . . perhaps it was all of the past rejections. Of course, he had been underhanded with her, but what could she expect he was the God of War and Destruction.
"Don't touch her!" Xena growled. This was going to get ugly. Gabrielle stepped from behind Xena.
"Xena, no." she looked at her friend . . . her love. "I . . ."
"Gabrielle, no." Xena pleaded.
"I have to. It's my destiny." she stepped forward as Bacchus appeared. Xena growled fearfully.
"No!"
"Daughter." The horned god looked upon Gabrielle with pride. He'd known she would make the right choice. He smiled to himself. He had not realized then that the woman he had encountered as Xena's companion was his own child. The Fates had hidden her well. It was only after he'd been recaptured and held prisoner by that damnable lyre and fuming that he'd been tricked by those two, that he had realized that she did not bear the Baccae mark. He'd been stunned to realize who the bard was. But in his weakened state, he'd not been able to pursue. 'Damn Orpheus and his lyre! So he'd been forced to watch her progress in his deep sleep.
"Fa . . . Father." Gabrielle responded. No one missed Xena's sharp intake of breath. Gabrielle struggled against a wave of nausea. She felt hysteria tickling her brain and she wanted to run, run, and scream at the top of her lungs.
"This is too much for her." Bacchus looked at Ares accusingly, then back at the stricken face of his child. And he saw the control she was wildly fighting for and remembered why he had chosen to come. His mind reached out to her and opened her mind to him. "Daughter, the door is open to all that you are. It will be at your command, as you need it. It is your choice how you will use these gifts. My blood that runs through your veins is strong and you will have to fight my dark nature of the bloodlust. It will be difficult. But know this Daughter . . . I've not done many things for this world. The only good thing I can think of is you." Bacchus took the bard's hand and lifted it to his lips and kissed it. With that he was gone whispering. "Be strong."
Ares right hand went to her head as Artemis and Aphrodite each placed a right hand on her shoulders. In turn, the other gods linked their hands together, aiming the joined hands at the bard. The three placed their left hands on her upper and lower abdomen, then nodded at each other. The burning sensation filled Gabrielle and the pain was so intense, she was fighting the scream that was threatening to erupt. Small whimpers escaped her lips until finally a scream erupted from her throat that shook the very ground and echoed through the valley. They were gone. The gods were gone. And Gabrielle began to sway, falling into Xena's arms.
Xena carried the unconscious Gabrielle to their blankets. She lay the bard down and sat herself down onto the joined bedrolls, pulling much of Gabrielle's upper body onto her lap. She stroked the woman's head. Xena never knew fear like this before. She had learned more than she wanted to know. And she glanced down at the woman she held and felt sorrow for her. Gabrielle had hid her lineage from her. 'In Fear that I would turn away from her. How could I ever leave you, my love?' She looked down at the face she so longed to kiss. 'How could you think I would judge you after all I've done in my bloodied past.'
"I know you're still here, Ares." Xena's voice, filled with contempt, pierced the once again quiet campsite. Ares reappeared with a grim smile for the Warrior Princess. He knew they had to talk.
"Zeus is dead."
"Yeah, I figured when I saw you wearing his crown." Xena responded. Her eyes never left Gabrielle. It was then, that the true extent of Xena's love for bard registered to him. Where once he would have raged with jealousy, now this filled him with a certain amount of relief and comfort. Of course he was still a little jealous.
"You kill him?"
"No." Ares answered, not insulted. In the past he had been trying to scheme to do away with the old man. "Dahak." He saw Xena instinctively freeze, then draw Gabrielle closer to her. "There will be war fought on the earth. He has many followers and minions. He wants her." He looked at Gabrielle's still form. Xena's eyes locked with his.
"No!" she growled vehemently. "You're sending her to him, aren't you? You want her to sacrifice herself to set a trap for him!" she accused.
"NO!" He roared. "NO!" He calmed himself. "Xena, an army is being raised to fight for our side. Even now as we speak, the gods particularly Artemis, the new Goddess of War are raising their followers."
"And who is to lead this army?" Her eyes narrowed.
He looked down at Gabrielle. And Xena felt shock roll over her like a boulder. "Are you crazy! You can't do this to her! Ares listen." Xena panicked. "I will do it. I will lead them I . . ."
"Xena, it is done. You will lead with her; but most of the world that knows of the Warrior Princess fears you. You at the helm of a massive army will cause undue unrest and certainly more trepidation than can be afforded."
"Ares." Xena eyed him incredulously. "No army will follow behind Gabrielle the Bard."
"But they will follow Gabrielle the Deliverer." his eyes burned. "Xena, you have no idea who or what you are holding. I glimpsed her power, her ability thanks to the Fates. But she is going to need her champion, her warrior. This time it is you who will have to be the strong one. You who will have to guide her back to the light. You who will have to be the wall between her and the darkness. It is time for you to reconcile yourself with your dark side.
"Ares." Xena warned.
"If you are at war within yourself, how will you help her? It's apart of you, Xena. Deal with it. And get over it." he spoke, knowing he needed to be hard to reach her. "Or he will take her. Take her from you and destroy her soul." He turned to leave.
"That's not going to happen. Ares." Xena hissed nastily. "Because I won't let her do this." He spun around to glare at her. "You hear me?" Her eyes flashed with fury. "I won't let her be used by you . . . or the rest of your lot."
"Don't fight destiny Xena."
"We make our own destiny." She yelled. He shook his head at her sadly.
"Xena, she's made her choice. Don't make her choose again. This time you'd lose."
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