Sweet Dreams by NiteHawk

Chapter One: Realization

Xena woke slowly, lured from her slumber by a host of pleasant sensations. The morning sun's rays slanted through the window and reached her closed eyelids, warming her and inviting her to the new day. She shifted slightly in the soft sheets, luxuriating in the feeling of them against her skin. This was a rare treat for someone whose life was typically spent on the cold, hard ground.

However, the most pleasing sensation that roused her was the gentle play of fingertips against her skin. She smiled, her eyes still tightly shut closed, as she turned into the touch. As the hands roamed her body, gently caressing her stomach, her sides, her thighs, Xena's opinion of the day improved even more. This was either one glorious day or one Hades of a dream. As she lost herself in the sensations stirring in her, she woke immediately as a soft kiss was placed on her collarbone. That was not at all what she expected.

Xena's eyes flew open and she jumped back slightly from the body pressing closer against hers. Up until a moment ago, she'd been more than willing to submit to the warm enticements, but now? as she stared into a familiar face, brown eyes sizing her up, Xena suddenly felt the need for a long bath to clean those thoughts from her mind.

"Ares," she said simply, spitting the name out uncomfortably. How in the world did he get in here with her, and what did he really think would happen? Xena knew he was delusional; he'd convinced himself that he was in love with her when all his actions seemed to prove otherwise. Except recently, she conceded, shaking her head slightly. Confused, she couldn't decide between a swift punch to that grinning face or running out of the room. Instead, she settled on backing up to the edge of the bed, pulling the sheets tight to cover her body. She needed to figure out what was going on, and why he didn't seem guilty about being caught trying to seduce her while she slept.

"Good morning Xena," he purred huskily, his eyes appraising the form of her body through the sheets. Unmoving, he simply stared at her with adoration plain on his face.

"What do you think you're doing?" Xena asked, genuinely perplexed now.

"Well I thought I'd wake you and we could?" He let the thought trail off and suggestively raised his eyebrows towards his hairline. With a wide grin he began to move closer.

Xena's arm flew out quickly, her palm smacking the center of his chest, keeping him a safe distance away. Rather than appear disheartened, Ares simply smiled and leaned back, willing to let her take charge.

"Don't you dare come any closer!" she threatened. Satisfied he wasn't going to try anything, she took a moment to look around and try to figure out where she was. Expecting at most an empty room at an inn, she was surprised to see how home-like it was. The furniture, the sparse decorations, and the one thing that really made her pause: her sword and chakram hanging on the wall for show.

"Where am I?" she asked, fear creeping up her spine. "Where's Gabrielle?"

Ares looked at her as though she'd had one too many mugs of ale or she'd been run over by a speeding chariot. He raised his hand to her forehead, checking for fever, and ignoring the obvious flinch and stiffness in Xena's body as he did so.

"Are you all right?" he asked, concern showing in his voice. "Is this some kind of game or are you serious?"

Xena only stared back blankly, shaking her head. Ares eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

"Maybe I should go get a doctor." Ares made a movement to get out of the bed, but Xena's hand on his arm stopped him and he looked back at her questioningly.

"Just answer my questions? please." Xena had to force the last word out, but Ares's actions didn't seem threatening to her and she needed some answers. Nothing here was making any sense. Ares stared at her for several moments before sighing in agreement.

"Okay. As for your first question, you're at our home outside of Amphipolis."

"Our home," Xena interrupted, taken aback. The idea was absurd to say the least. Ares narrowed his eyes, clearly annoyed on the one hand for answering what was to him such an obvious question, but then concerned as well for the genuine confusion on Xena's part.

"Yes, our home. We've been here for about a year now."

"That's?" Xena wanted to say ridiculous or disgusting or any one of a million things, but thought better of it. As the scale of things tipped further to the illogical, she was more and more worried about the second, as yet unanswered question. "What about Gabrielle?"

"She's been dead for over nine months now." Ares stated plainly, clearly not thinking much of that piece of news. However, if he was annoyed at having to bring up such old information, he was totally unprepared for her reaction.

Almost immediately upon hearing Ares's words, Xena broke down. Disbelief didn't seem to cover it; loud, racking sobs escaped from her throat and tears streamed from her eyes, clouding her vision. Wrapping her arms around herself, she tried to digest the news. This couldn't possibly be real. None of it made sense. But then how to explain everything since she woke? This was worse than a nightmare, she decided, burying her face in her hands.

Xena cried silently for several more minutes before managing to calm herself somewhat. When finally she uncovered her face and raised her eyes to meet Ares's, the mixture of utter heartbreak and pure rage was enough to make him flinch visibly.

"What did you do to her, you bastard!?" she growled, hatred etched plain into her features.

Taken aback, Ares floundered for a second. Then his confusion turned into fierce anger.

"How dare you! You know I did nothing. I was with you the whole time!"

"This can't be true. It isn't true! You're lying!" Xena exclaimed, but the look in Ares's eyes immediately dispelled her of that notion. She fought back another wave of despair as it hit her, trying not to let her emotions get the best of her. Not with him here. This was the last person she wanted to witness her grief. As she struggled with herself, she was caught unaware by Ares sudden movement.

Angrily, he flung the sheets off himself and jumped out of the bed. He strode over to a set of drawers and practically ripped the top drawer open. After rifling inside it for a moment, he pulled something out and threw it at Xena. She barely blocked the small package and it landed on the pillow next to her.

"I don't know what is going on with you today, but I really thought we were past this. If you won't believe me, then believe that!" he shouted. He grabbed some clothes off the dresser and disappeared out the door, slamming it shut behind him.

It took a moment for Xena to focus her attention on the small cloth package nearby. She reached out cautiously, delicately grabbing a hold of the twine holding it together. With a short tug she unwrapped it and the cloth fell back, revealing a couple of scrolls and something else she recognized right away. The tears once again threatened to fall, but she pushed the ache to the back of her mind.

Xena gingerly reached out and picked up the necklace that had belonged to Gabrielle. Holding it in her hand, she lightly ran her thumb along the familiar design, remembering the day she'd given it to her friend. The tears came this time, and Xena cried silently, clutching the jewelry in her fist and holding it to her cheek.

After a short while, her tears dried, Xena looked at the scrolls still waiting to be read. Xena steeled herself, afraid yet still needing to know the secrets still hidden from her. She reached first for the smaller of the two scrolls. Unfurling it, she realized immediately she didn't recognize the handwriting. Ignoring her disappointment, she willed herself to continue and read it silently to herself.

Xena,

It is my duty as the new ruler of the amazons to inform you of the death of our former queen, Gabrielle. She died a true hero, leading our warriors against an army intent on wiping our nation from this earth. We were vastly outnumbered and they overran our village, almost bringing about our annihilation. Due to our Queen's brave actions, her sisters remain strong to carry on the Amazon tradition.
At Queen Gabrielle's request, I am sending you her personal items. She always spoke highly of you so I hope they bring back fond memories. I'm afraid many of her items are in bad shape, but we rescued what we could. Her name will live forever in our history, and as her friend you will also be a friend to our nation.

Best regards,
Cyane, Queen, Amazon Nation

Xena listlessly dropped the scroll back to the bed and found that, despite the confirmation of Ares's words, the tears would no longer fall. If anything, all that she felt was more confused. She was filled with so many questions - how could Gabrielle have been in such a position, and she not at her side? With a dull ache in her chest, Xena reached for the second scroll.

Xena,

If you're reading this letter, it means that I have passed to the other side and my last hope of being reunited with you has gone unfulfilled. However, I won't have my last words to you be of sadness. There will be no blame or guilt or what ifs. I've accepted your choice and moved on.
What I would like to tell you is that, despite how things ended between us, I wouldn't trade a second of our time together for the world. You brought out the best in me. Without you, I would have been but a shadow, never knowing the warmth and light and completeness that comes with finding the other half of your soul. I was doomed to a life not worth living until I met you.
I don't know how receptive you will be to my words on this subject, so I won't go on too long. I hope this letter finds you well and at peace. For a long time I thought I could give you what you needed and be for you what you were for me. I know now that I was wrong, but I'm glad to know that you found your happiness after all. You never seemed to believe that you deserved such things, but I was always sure that, given time, you could accept it. You are worthy of all life has to offer.
I don't know if you will even read this letter, but I just felt that I had to say these things one last time. I always had so much I wanted to say to you and I figured I had time. Now I know that won't happen. If you have read this far, though, I will assume you have forgiven me enough that I can say I love you. An unimportant fact, I'm sure, but I still wanted you to know. I always have and always will. In the future if you ever have reason to think of me, I don't want you to have any regrets about us. I don't.
May your life be happy and full of love.

Gabrielle

Xena didn't even know how she managed to get through the scroll. The words reverberated deep inside her, and the ache she had felt previously was now acute pain. Just seeing the familiar handwriting reminded her of hundreds of times before, the two of them settled in a camp site getting ready for the evening, and the young woman pulling out a scroll to record her thoughts no matter how tired she was. If she concentrated hard enough, Xena could still see her companion across the flames, the quirk of her eyes as she concentrated, the way her nose would crinkle when she remembered something amusing from earlier in the day to write. Sometimes she would get so lost in the story, feverishly scribbling her thoughts down as quickly as they came, covering her hands in smudged ink. She'd always notice soon enough, though, the eyes upon her, watching silently. As soon as she did, Gabrielle would always pause and look up, locking eyes with the warrior. They would both forget what they were doing in those moments and let their eyes carry on a silent conversation. Even now, Xena felt a small smile on her lips, remembering the crooked grin the bard would always aim her way.

Feeling it all over again, and recognizing with finality that these memories would never be repeated, Xena finally let herself give in to the pain and grief she'd been suppressing. She would never see Gabrielle again. She couldn't accept it, and yet everything pointed to this truth. Xena curled up in the sheets, sobbing quietly.

Almost as soon as the anguish took over, it morphed into a more familiar sensation for the warrior princess. With a gasping breath, she fought the overwhelming need to cry and sat up angrily. Without thinking, she grabbed the scroll off the covers and hurled it across the room, hearing the crack as it broke against the wall. Blinded by the rage now consuming her, she felt the need to do something, anything violent. She jumped out of the bed and stumbled towards the scarce furniture available to her. She picked up a small wooden chair and lifted it above her head, then swung it wildly in an arc towards the wall. It smashed into hundreds of pieces of splintered wood. With one last heaving sob, she flung the frame across the room and collapsed on the floor, closing her eyes and hoping for the darkness to overtake her soon.

As she lay on the floor, she heard a quiet noise and opened her eyes. The door was being pushed open cautiously. Xena immediately fought to compose herself. She would not let anyone, least of all Ares, see her like this. She stood and grabbed a robe off the dresser, throwing it on quickly, and she wiped at her red eyes to clear them.

Her anger at the intrusion melted away as Ares stepped inside the room and she caught a glimpse of the small bundle in his arms. His eyes locked with hers, his showing a mixture of annoyance and concern, while hers reflected a growing confusion.

"I didn't want to interrupt," he said, tearing his eyes away to gaze at the carnage in the room. "However, this little guy wouldn't take no for an answer."

"Who? what?" Xena couldn't figure out where to start.

"Lyceus is hungry and irritable, and this is one more area where he needs his mother more than his father. I mean I've got skills, just not that kind."

"Lyceus?" Xena asked, unable to hide the shock in her face.

"What, now you don't remember our son?" Ares asked, slightly perturbed. Shaking his head, he moved further into the room, approaching the dazed warrior princess. He held the child out, offering him to Xena.

She peered down at the red, pudgy face and recognized the bright blue eyes staring back at her. Despite her confusion, she felt drawn to the child and, without thinking, she reached out and took him into her arms. Before she knew it, she had moved over to sit on the bed and had him feeding at her breast. She watched, fascinated, for several moments as other memories flashed into her mind. But not of this child, she reminded herself.

"Why don't I remember any of this?" she asked Ares, looking up at the former god of war. "Nothing is even familiar. It's as though I'm hearing all this for the first time."

"You really don't remember," he said, finally stating it as a fact rather than a question. "What is the last thing you recall?"

Xena paused, looking again at the child as she thought.

"Olympus," she said finally. "You saved Eve and Gabrielle."

Ares couldn't help but notice the catch in Xena's voice as she said the last name.

"That was two years ago, Xena," he stated as a matter of fact. "What did you do last night to wake up like this? Did you hit your head?"

"How should I know?" Xena replied, annoyed. Then she turned thoughtful. "Two years? I don't understand."

"You're starting to freak me out," Ares told her.

"You're telling me," Xena intoned quietly. She struggled with all the questions fighting inside her. There were too many things she didn't know. "I don't understand how I could get here, with you. Where's Eve? And what happened with Gabrielle?"
Ares eyes narrowed. Obviously Gabrielle was still a sore spot for him.

"Eve is in town, she runs the inn now. That's why we came here to settle down, once you realized you were going to have Lyceus. You wanted to be near her, you talked about how family was the most important thing, yadda yadda. Seeing as you killed off most of mine, she's pretty much all we've got. And as for Gabrielle, why do we need to waste any more time or breath on her? She's dead, she's not important anymore."

Xena's eyes flashed in anger and she looked ready to choke Ares. Barely restraining herself from doing just that, she castigated him with her look.

"Don't you dare say that! She is my family, she is important to me!"

"I think the word you're looking for is 'was,' Xena. Past tense. She is long gone, and she was out of your life long before someone managed to put her in the ground. She hasn't been important to you for almost two years now, but why should you believe your husband?!" Ares was seething in anger, and he began to pace back and forth across the room, his agitation apparent.

Xena looked back down at the child, but her thoughts were elsewhere. She remembered what she had read in the letters. She'd been confused by the intimations before, but the questions they'd raised were overshadowed by her grief. Now, though, the words took on a whole new light.

"What happened?" she asked quietly, her voice cracking slightly.

Ares stopped his movements and turned to face Xena. He cocked his head to the side as he considered his words carefully.

"Well, after she tried to off your daughter and you killed her for it?"

"I didn't!" Xena protested loudly, starting the baby for a moment. Ares came over to calm the child, stroking his cheek with his index finger while he eyed Xena with disdain.

"Not that I blame you, but you did slice her head open and watch her brains bleed out all over the floor; that's beside the point, though. Then I brought her and Eve back - giving up my immortality, you know - so I guess if it makes you feel better we can say it never happened. But it's kind of important to the rest of my story here."

Xena glared at Ares but remained quiet.

"Anyway, after all that happened, you two tried to pretend like everything was great and nothing had happened. She was terrified of you but still followed you around like a puppy, just waiting for some scraps of affection to be thrown her way. You didn't trust her anymore but acted like it didn't matter that she betrayed you yet again. You two played that game out until you just couldn't pretend anymore."

Xena silently imagined the events unfolding as Ares described, hurting at the thought of her and Gabrielle growing apart. She knew it was the furies that had caused Gabrielle's attack, so she couldn't blame her for those actions. Could it really be possible that she would hold it against her friend? Xena shivered in remembrance of another dark time in their lives, after Solan died. Certainly her anger had blinded her then. It took a moment for Xena to return her attention to Ares's speech.

"So one day she gets upset because you won't let her do? whatever... and you two get into it. It's brutal, it's violent, and long story short it ends with you standing above her ready to knock that self-righteous bitch?" Ares looked at Xena as he said the word and instantly regretted it. "Ready to knock that obnoxious look off her face."

"I wouldn't?" Xena tried feebly to argue.

"Right, because you've never done that before." Ares laughed to himself, thinking back on those times happily. "Anyway, you went ahead and told her all kinds of things. You didn't trust her, didn't need her, she had no place in your life. She tried to argue but wisely took off before you could crack open that thick skull again."

"That can't be true. It doesn't seem right?" Xena insisted. None of it seemed the least bit familiar. It didn't feel true, and she couldn't even imagine herself acting that way towards Gabrielle. "That still wouldn't explain you and me, though."

"What, unless I used some godly tricks on you? I'm mortal now, Xena! No powers!" To emphasize his point, Ares wiggled his fingers in the air and Xena half expected a bolt of fire to shoot across the room. She didn't know if she could get used to this. Turning serious, Ares lifted her chin with his fingertips and caught her gaze.

"It's the truth. You have to remember, even before Olympus, you and Gabrielle weren't as close as you used to be. I don't know the reasons for that, but you know it's true. And no matter what I say or think about her, I do owe her. She helped you become the woman you are today, the woman I love. You changed, and I changed. Without that, we wouldn't have what we do now."

Ares turned his attention to the child in Xena's arms for a moment, touching Lyceus's nose with his finger and causing the child to squeal in delight.

"She taught you a lot of things, gave you a lot. But eventually you didn't need her anymore. You outgrew her. She also changed, and you didn't need the person she became. That's just life, Xena." Ares put his hand on Xena's so that they were holding Lyceus together.

"Remember when you had Eve. It was me you wanted. I could give you what Gabrielle couldn't. Especially after you lost all that time with your daughter. You wanted a second chance to raise your child, you wanted a family. I can and have given that to you."

"But Gabrielle?" Xena whispered, a lone tear escaping and trailing down her cheek. She was at war with herself, with his words, her insides twisting into knots.

"She killed her own daughter. Tried to kill yours. She's the reason your son died. Maybe there's another reason she left home to follow an ex-warlord - she isn't cut out for family life." Ares eyes narrowed as he considered his next words. "She couldn't? wouldn't share you. You know how her jealousy could be. She wanted to be everything to you; she wasn't satisfied sharing your love with someone else."

"No! That's not how it was!" Xena protested vehemently.

"That's why you stopped trusting her, stopped feeling anything more than pity for her. That's why, when your daughter's life was on the line, you spared me but killed her. That's why when the amazons brought you her things you threw most of them in the fire pit and watched them burn. She brought you out of your darkness before, but she was still a link to it. One that you had to cut out of your life before she dragged you back down with her."

"No?" Xena couldn't let herself believe in his words.

Ares quickly grabbed Lyceus away from her, causing the child to cry out.

"We are your future, Xena!" he shouted, holding the baby up to make his point. With that he angrily left the room, leaving Xena alone.

It took a moment for everything to hit her, but she felt tears stinging her eyes again. As she furiously wiped them away, she realized at least one truth in Ares's words. She had changed. There's no way she would have let herself wallow like this before.

She dropped her hands back to the bed and felt something under her right palm. Closing her fingers around the object, she held Gabrielle's necklace back up and stared at it. Her heart was telling her that what Ares said couldn't possibly be true. Parts of what he said had the elements of truth to it, but it all seemed twisted somehow. The truth she knew and felt deep within was her love for Gabrielle. That was all she could really believe, and yet it didn't explain her current situation.

Eventually Xena reached up and put the necklace on herself. Whatever was happening, whatever was or was not true, she needed to feel close to Gabrielle and this was all that she had left of her. Xena felt a pang as the light weight of the necklace touched her collarbone.

Xena dressed quickly, choosing amongst unfamiliar clothes. With a deep breath, she headed out of the bedroom. As she exited, she looked around the sparsely furnished home she supposedly had lived in for a year now. She took in each small detail, but nothing felt the slightest bit familiar. It was all wrong.

A knock at the front door called her attention. She paused briefly, curious yet not sure she could take any more surprises today. After a minute, however, she let her interest take over. She moved to the door and slowly opened it.

"Hello mother!" Eve said warmly, her eyes lighting up at seeing Xena. She wrapped her arms around the older woman and held her mother tightly. Xena was taken aback at first, but quickly regained her composure and hugged back. She closed her eyes and felt another surge of sadness rise up in her, and when Eve broke the embrace she noticed the pained look on Xena's face.

"What's wrong?" she said softly, putting a comforting hand on her mother's arm. "Is Lyceus okay?"

It took Xena a moment to understand what her daughter was asking, but when she did she nodded and forced a smile onto her face.

"It's just a? strange day today," Xena told her daughter, hoping she could cover the thoughts racing through her mind. Eve was about to question her mother further until she noticed the necklace Xena wore.

"Gabrielle?" Eve intoned, her voice devoid of any emotion.

Xena nodded, a lump forming in her throat. Suddenly she needed out of this place, everything was too unreal. She grabbed her daughter's arm and pulled her outside, shutting the door quickly behind them.

"C'mon, let's go for a walk," Xena said brightly, ignoring the strange look Eve gave her. The warrior kept her hold tight around her daughter's arm and they walked in silence for a long while.

Finally, Eve couldn't take the strangeness of her mother's actions any more. She'd studied her movements and the sadness in those eyes, but her eyes kept returning to the jewelry her mother now wore.

"Why now?" Eve asked, obviously frustrated.

"What do you mean?" Xena asked, pausing her stride and turning to face her daughter. As she did so, she subconsciously began to play with the necklace, fingering the silver delicately.

"You haven't said one word about her since that Amazon came to town and gave you her things, even longer still before that. But now?"

"I miss her," Xena said quietly, turning her eyes away from her daughter and staring into the distance.

"Why?" Eve pressed.

"How can you even ask that?"

"How could I not? You haven't spoken of her in months, or seemed like you thought about her in just as long. You purposefully destroyed everything that reminded you of her and worked hard to start a new life."

"With Ares?" Xena asked incredulously. "And how could you live with that?"

"We've already discussed how I feel about it. Yes, it used to feel strange and sometimes it still does. But then I see how happy you are, and any questions I have are gone. Seeing you happy makes me happy." Eve took her mother's hands in her own and smiled. "Besides, I never would have had a brother otherwise. I could never feel anything but joy for that."

Suddenly, Xena felt eyes upon her and she stood rigid, her senses searching the area around her. She was aware of a familiar presence, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She turned quickly, and found Ares standing there with Lyceus. She glanced at them briefly then turned her gaze towards the tree line in the distance. Xena could swear she felt someone else, someone she was desperate to find.

Ares glanced briefly at her, then looked at Eve and narrowed his eyes.

"Would you like to see your big sister, Lyceus? I think you do!" Ares spoke in a loud, baby talk voice that caused the infant to giggle. He moved past Xena and handed the baby to Eve.

Xena continued to stare at the woods for several moments, oblivious. Whatever she thought she felt, it wasn't there anymore. Now I'm imagining things, she thought to herself. I've lost it. But maybe?

Xena turned to face the familiar figures behind her, and she regarded them skeptically. Ares stood beside Eve while she played with her sibling, cooing and giggling. Xena stared at them both thoughtfully for several moments.

"Eve, tell me something about you I don't know," Xena said suddenly. Both her daughter and Ares looked at her as though she'd finally gone crazy.

"What are you talking about?" Eve questioned, shaking her head before returning her attention to her brother.

"Tell me something I don't know about you. Maybe something from when you were growing up," Xena insisted.

Eve paused and stopped playing with the child. After a minute she looked up into her mother's eyes. The blank expression she now wore told Xena her instincts were right.

"Morpheus!" Xena shouted loudly, turning in place, daring the god of dreams to show his face. "This is not what happens! This is no dream, it's a nightmare! This is not my future!"

All of a sudden, the memories of what had really happened assaulted Xena's mind, and she fell writhing to the ground. But at least now there's hope, she thought briefly, smiling as she blacked out.

Chapter Two: Reality

The sun had settled over the horizon only a short while ago, but already a chill was fast descending on the cliffs. The breeze picked up steadily, carrying with it the salty smell of the sea and causing the three women to shiver visibly. They had been left here to enjoy the view and heal the wounds of the past twenty four hours, and although things had started off nice enough, the coldness between them was not just a physical one. The last hour had been spent mostly in silence - each woman lost in her own thoughts - until Xena spoke up and suggested they head inland to find shelter for the night.

With the increasing cold and the darkness settling in, Eve contemplated the last few days. Up until a short while ago, she had only known herself as Livia, conqueror for Rome and its future Empress. Then, so quickly she still couldn't quite believe it, everything had changed. She was still slightly uncomfortable with all the adjustments not only to her way of life but also her mindset, although she wasn't having second thoughts. She wasn't losing herself, but rather finding herself for the first time. It was only normal to have reservations about such a huge leap of faith, a literal one in her case.

The way she had been raised, surrounded by so many people whose only concern in life was her comfort, it had been easy to feel special. Everyone had waited on her hand and foot, whether they be servants or a legion of soldiers awaiting her orders. She'd never had a problem with self image - no one in Rome was her equal. Now, however, she had only these two women for her companions, and she felt grossly inadequate in their presence.

Eve was used to lots of noise and commotion around her, but truthfully she had always enjoyed solitude when she could find it. Now, however, she was finding the silence extremely uncomfortable. On the surface, this should have been a night of celebration. She had finally been reunited with her mother, and she had turned away from the violence that had consumed her life for so long. The manic energy of war had always made her feel so alive, but looking back at it now, her life had been so empty. She now followed the way of peace and love, and it felt right. Add to that the fact that the gods who were intent on her demise were all gone, leaving her free to explore and follow her new path in life, and she should have been shouting with joy. Why, then, did she feel so unsettled?

Focusing her eyes on the women before her, she knew why. Even in the dim light, it was easy to see the distance between the two. She didn't know a lot about her mother and Gabrielle, only a couple of stories that had been passed down through the years. It felt odd somehow to be in the presence of legends, and even stranger to find herself related to one. But the one thing that had always been clear in the tales she'd heard was the unbreakable bond between them. It had sounded intense, the closeness they were supposed to share. But here they were, looking for all the world like a couple of wayward acquaintances, awkward eye contact and noncommittal gestures their only interaction. However, she supposed after the events of today it only made sense. She felt her chest tighten as she remembered seeing Gabrielle's pale, motionless body on the floor in a growing pool of her own blood, and her mother's horrified reaction after realizing what she'd done. Eve let her eyes rest on her mother for a while, and she quickly noticed the determined set to her shoulders and her expressionless face. She was in pain but too much the warrior to let it show, Eve thought sadly.

Before long the three women emerged from the woods, and following a well worn path another half mile they ended up in a small village nestled in the foothills south of Mount Olympus. The place was so small it could hardly be called a town - not many people were free enough of superstition and fear to live so close to the gods. However, there was steady traffic from visitors who traveled from all over the known world to see the fabled spot. The layout of the town square was familiar enough to make finding the inn easy. As they trudged through the town towards the promise of warm and comfortable beds, Eve wondered briefly how the death of the gods would affect this hamlet.

Most of the villagers were probably already tucked away in their own beds at this late hour, but the few left out in the streets eyed the strange women suspiciously. Eve shivered despite herself, finally realizing how deep the chill in the air had become. She was glad to enter the warmth of the cozy inn and see the well built fire burning in the dining area.

As the women closed the door behind them and acclimated themselves to the warmth, their eyes all fell on the lone person in the cramped common room. The elderly man looked up from behind the bar, noticing his guests. If he was surprised at the sight of strangers at this hour, no less three half-dressed women, he didn't show it. He smiled at them all through his thick, grey mustache.

"You three about gave this old man a heart attack. It's a bit late to be wandering about, and none of you seem dressed for the weather here. Go ahead, have a seat by the fire and warm yourselves up." He motioned them to have a seat, which they reluctantly did. The old man disappeared into the door behind the bar, leaving them alone for a minute.

Gabrielle turned to face the fire while Xena stretched, working out some kinks in her back. Eve watched them both, slightly exasperated that even now the silent act was continuing.

"You'd think we were the first person he'd seen all year," Eve offered quietly, hoping to get a line of communication open. Xena chuckled slightly while Gabrielle remained quiet, lost in thought watching the flames. Eve turned her attention to her mother and noticed her painful glance at their companion. Xena pulled her gaze away quickly, her visage hardened.

Just then the old man re-entered the room holding a small platter in his hands. He came out from behind the bar and set it on the table between the women.

"You three looked like you could use something to eat. I suppose you'll be needing some rooms as well. We can sort all that out after you eat, though." As he spoke an old woman came out of the kitchen and came over to the table as well. She held a platter with three cups and a large jug. "Here's my wife with some water for you all. Of course we can get you something else if you need. Just let us know."

The woman set the cups down before each woman and filled them. She smiled at their guests as she ambled away, her husband at her side. She headed back into the kitchen as her husband resumed his seat behind the bar, settling his attention back on his card game spread out on the counter.

Gabrielle took this moment to turn around, facing the table. She stared blankly at the food on the table between them - a generous platter of sliced meats, cheeses, bread and olives.

"Should have known that would get your attention," Xena teased, trying to lighten the heavy mood that had settled upon them. Gabrielle seemed not to notice, a perplexed expression crossing her face. She pulled a small bag from her belt, opened it slightly and reached inside, looking for something. Then she looked back up, unable to meet anyone's eyes.

"I don't think we can afford to stay here tonight," she said quietly.

Xena focused on her companion for a moment before turning her gaze to her daughter. She was at a loss.

"We can talk to them, see what we can work out. How much do we have?" the warrior asked, glad at least that Gabrielle was speaking now.

"Two dinars," Gabrielle answered. "That's barely enough for us to eat."

Xena thought it over. Generally she liked to leave all the money matters to Gabrielle, but even she realized that amount wasn't going to cut it here.

"Then I suppose we should thank these people for their hospitality and find a nice campsite outside town," Xena finally replied. As thankful as she was to Aphrodite for transporting them down here from Olympus, she was slightly annoyed that the goddess didn't think to restore their belongings at the same time. Now they had several days journey to get back to where they'd left their things before the attack on Joxer's tavern.

Eve noticed the weariness in both women and was disappointed she didn't have anything to offer. Gabrielle put her elbows on the table and ran her hands through her hair, sighing loudly. She continued to hold her head in her hands as Xena and Eve exchanged concerned glances.

"Gabrielle, are you okay?" Xena asked.

"Yeah, Xena? I just have a bit of a headache." Gabrielle closed her eyes, missing Xena flinch at her answer and the unintended implications.

"Sorry, I couldn't help but overhear? did she just call you Xena?" the old man behind the bar piped up, once again turning his attention on his guests.

"That's my name," the warrior replied dryly.

"The Xena? Here, near Mount Olympus? But the gods?" Suddenly the old man was out of his seat, an animated expression on his face. "We heard rumblings the past day or so. You've faced the gods and lived?"

Xena shrugged noncommittally, thinking her appearance at this inn was an obvious answer.

At this moment the barkeep's wife came back into the room with her water jug. She was startled by the look on her husband's face as he grabbed her arm.

"Lysia, this is Xena, the warrior princess!" he said, gesturing towards the warrior. "And I suppose that would make you Gabrielle," he offered, motioning towards the bard. Gabrielle turned her head slightly, opened her eyes and nodded slightly, her head still in her hands.

"And that would make this lovely young woman Eve," Lysia chimed in, smiling at Xena's daughter.

"The fact that you're all sitting here in our inn must mean the twilight has come. I can't believe it's actually happened," the old man said reverently.

"You two seem to know a lot about this," Xena said, half accusingly. Unconsciously she moved her hand off the table and settled it on her hip near her chakram.

"Thank your friend here," Lysia answered, pointing at Gabrielle whose eyes were once again closed and seemed not to be aware of the conversation going on around her. "Her stories have traveled far, as do rumors and prophecies. We never put too much stock in these things - obviously, or we wouldn't live here - but sometimes the truth comes to you."

"You all look pretty good for dead people if we believed every rumor we heard," the innkeeper added, chuckling.

"I thought you'd be older though?" the woman added thoughtfully. Despite her seemingly obliviousness to it all, Xena was pretty sure she noticed Gabrielle's shoulders shift slightly as she stifled a laugh. She smiled herself at the thought.

"Well, none of that matters now. You three are legends. I heard what you were talking about earlier, about not having money, but we wouldn't take a dinar from you. We are honored to have you as our guests." The old man smiled, threw his hands up as though it were all settled, then started to move away. "I'll just go get your rooms ready."

"I can't wait to tell the girls about this in the morning," Lysia said, going along to help her husband.

As soon as they were out of sight, Eve chuckled and shot an amused look at her mother.

"Is it always like that?" she asked, pointing towards where the elderly couple had disappeared. "I suppose you get used to it."

"You don't really get used to it so much as immune to it," Xena answered, smiling. "Half the time I wonder what she's been writing about me, but times like this, I don't mind so much."

"They're probably going to want to hear all about your latest accomplishments in the morning. I'm actually surprised they didn't try to force it out of us just now," Eve joked.

"Then I hope you're in the mood to tell it tomorrow because I don't remember much of anything," Gabrielle muttered, clutching at her head. "Gods, this headache?"

Xena was torn between her guilt, knowing she was the reason behind her friend's pain, the need to offer comfort, and the fear that kept her from doing so. Eve only caught a momentary glimpse before Xena regained control and masked her emotions once more. She reached out and grabbed some olives, popping them in her mouth and staring off into the distance.

Eve followed her mother's lead and began to eat. As the two women picked at the platter before them, Gabrielle remained silent and immobile. The tension at the table was palpable.

"Gabrielle, you need to eat," Xena said quietly, her tone of voice so soft it caught Eve by surprise. The warrior picked up a piece of bread and held it out to the bard. Gabrielle opened her eyes slightly, stared at the proffered food for a couple moments before reluctantly removing one hand from her head and taking it. Xena smiled gently as Gabrielle absently nibbled on the bread.

Figuring now would be an excellent time to leave these two alone, Eve pushed herself back from the table and stood.

"I'm going to find the innkeepers and see about getting a bath tonight," she said, smiling. Gabrielle nodded in acknowledgment while Xena flicked her eyes to the young woman and offered a warm grin.

Xena watched until her daughter was gone then turned her attention on the smaller woman across from her. She felt a pang of regret as she saw the exhaustion and defeat evident in Gabrielle's features. It took her several moments to build up the courage to speak.

"Gabrielle, we need to talk."

"No one's stopping you," Gabrielle replied, not even looking up. Xena reached across and took the young woman's hand in her own, running her thumb along the soft knuckles. She stopped when she felt her friend tense up, but continued to hold the hand until Gabrielle finally brought her eyes up to meet her own.

"Please, Gabrielle?" Xena began. Before she could continue Gabrielle pulled her hand away and stood, her chair falling backwards loudly onto the floor.

"I can't right now. Xena, please, I just can't." Gabrielle looked ready to break down.

"It's okay. We don't have to right now. But soon, promise me." Xena desperately wanted to push for the conversation right this second, but one look at Gabrielle dispelled her of that notion. She was so fragile right now. If she needed time, she could have it. But Xena wasn't going to let this go on too long. There was too much she had to say. So much had happened between them recently, and it needed to be addressed.

"I promise," Gabrielle answered quietly. She rubbed at her forehead quickly, then turned to pick up the chair she'd knocked over. What Xena wanted to do was jump over the table and, in a grand gesture, pull her friend into her arms and let her know everything would be okay. Instead she sat back in her seat and took a small sip of her water, turning the small cup thoughtfully in her hand.

Gabrielle reset the chair and took her seat again, staring at the table. She reached for a slice of cheese and took a small bite. The silence between the two grew to deafening proportions.

Eventually Gabrielle raised sad eyes to Xena and opened her mouth to speak. Before she could say anything, the front door to the inn was thrown open with a loud crack, and in stumbled a disheveled, bloody man. He barely made it two steps before collapsing to the floor.

Both Xena and Gabrielle were out of their seats immediately and they reached the man's side at the same time. Xena glanced at him quickly before going to the door and looking outside. Gabrielle knelt by the stranger, holding on to one hand to comfort him as she assessed his injuries.

Not seeing a single soul outside in the darkness, Xena shut the door, shivering slightly against burst of cold air as it closed. Immediately she joined Gabrielle at the man's side, checking him over quickly and noticing, with an impressed glance, that Gabrielle had already began to tend to his wounds.

"What happened to you?" Xena asked the man as he trembled, panting heavily and gritting his teeth in pain.

"Bandits? down the east road," he managed before crying out.

"How many?"

"Three? I think." A wave of pain suddenly racked his body and he twisted a little on the floor. It passed quickly and he crumpled even further, his head hitting the wooden floorboards with a thud.

"What were you doing out so late?" Gabrielle asked as she gently removed some debris from a ragged cut on his left side. The man flinched with each touch.

"I figured? so close to town? didn't want to stop." Xena began to staunch a cut in his right shoulder with some cloth she ripped from his now ragged shirt.

"Seems like it would have been better to wait," she said quietly.

Gabrielle stood up quickly, wiping at her blood covered hands as she stared at the door. Xena noticed and also stood, putting a cautious hand on her friend's arm.

"They couldn't have gone too far, not this late," Gabrielle reasoned.

"Gabrielle?" Xena warned, drawing out her friend's name as she often did when trying to calm the younger woman. "We should wait 'til morning, get an early start. Right now we need our rest."

Gabrielle looked defiantly at Xena, boldly squaring her shoulders and facing off with the warrior.

"You go ahead and rest. I don't think I could sleep tonight anyway."

"You looked ready to pass out half an hour ago," Xena protested.

"That was then. Now I'm ready to go."

"You shouldn't go out there alone."

Gabrielle stepped back, throwing Xena's hand off her arm forcefully as her eyes blazed in anger at the tall warrior.

"Are you saying I can't take care of a few worthless bandits, Xena? After all we've been through you still think so little of me?"

"I didn't say that."

"But it's what you meant."

"No it wasn't. Gods, Gabrielle, stop twisting my words! What is wrong with you?" Xena yelled, grabbing Gabrielle by the shoulders and gripping tightly. Gabrielle face contorted in anger and she brought her arms up quickly, knocking Xena's hands off her shoulders. Before things could escalate any further, the women heard a loud noise coming from back inside the inn and turned to see the barkeep and his wife rushing out towards them.

"What's happened?" Lysia exclaimed loudly, running behind the bar and grabbing some supplies before coming around to the injured man's side. The barkeep looked wildly at the bloody man and the two women standing above him who, just moments before, had been embroiled in a heated exchange.

Gabrielle blinked several times, clearing her head, before she realized they'd been asked a question.

"He was attacked by some bandits on the road outside town. He just stumbled in here a minute ago."

Lysia expertly began to clean the man's wounds with her supplies while everyone watched. Suddenly her husband jumped to attention and started towards the door.

"I'm going to get the doctor. I'll be right back, sweetie," he called to his wife as he ran out the door. Xena and Gabrielle both hesitated before moving to the door themselves, leaving the elderly woman to tend to the man in peace.

"Gabrielle, we've had a crazy day, I think we should wait until morning to take care of those bandits," Xena implored her friend quietly.

"You had a busy day, Xena. If I recall correctly, I was unconscious for a good part of it so I feel pretty well rested," Gabrielle argued, also keeping her voice down so as not to disturb Lysia. Xena sighed, exasperated.

"Fine, if you want to go so badly I'm going with you. Just let me tell Eve we're going?"

"No!" Gabrielle said impatiently. Then forcing calmness to her voice, she continued. "Why don't you spend some time with your daughter and let me take care of this. You just fought off half of Olympus for Eve. Why don't you take advantage of some peace and quiet and talk to her. I know you want to. And trust me, I can take care of a few measly bandits."

Xena bowed her head, staring at her boots broodingly. Finally she raised her eyes to meet Gabrielle's. She saw the honest entreaty in those green depths and felt herself caving. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth.

A soft touch on her arm brought her out of her reverie and she once again opened her eyes. Gabrielle forced a small smile to her lips.

"I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone. I promise."

"Not possible. I always notice when you're not around," Xena finally answered, giving up. She pulled the small woman into a weak embrace. She still wasn't completely at ease with the idea of Gabrielle running after some thugs in the dark, but Gabrielle always knew how to push her buttons just right. Xena closed her eyes unhappily against that thought.

"If you still want, we can talk when I get back," Gabrielle promised softly, settling into the warmth of the familiar touch. She hadn't realized until now just how much she'd needed it.

"I would like that," Xena's voice rumbled lowly. She'd lost this one; she never was good at arguing with the bard. But later, she would not back down. She had some very important things to say, and she would be heard. She considered Gabrielle's concession a small victory, at least.

"Who would have ever thought you'd be the one asking to talk?" Gabrielle joked. She rested her forehead against Xena's shoulder for a second before remembering that she had something to do - she hadn't won this argument only to lose it for a few stolen moments of pleasure. She squeezed the warrior tightly before breaking the embrace.

"I'll see you soon," Gabrielle promised, offering a small, private smile for the woman standing so close to her right now. She held the warrior's hand a moment longer, reluctant to break the contact before finally working up the nerve to go. She slid her hand out of Xena's until their fingertips gently parted. She still felt a warm tingle in her hand long after she'd made it out of the village and down the dark road.

Xena sadly watched her friend's retreating form disappear into the inky blackness surrounding the town. She hated herself for giving in so easily. She still felt uneasy about the bard's plan, but she'd realized long ago that whatever Gabrielle set her mind to, Gabrielle got. Fleetingly, the thought crossed her mind to follow the young woman, but she knew how angry the bard would be if she found out. No, I have to let her do this - and I do trust her, that's not the problem. It's this sinking feeling in my gut.

Xena felt at the time that it was a mistake to let Gabrielle go, but it wasn't until the next day that she would realize just how big a mistake it was.

Chapter Three: A Familiar Enemy

As soon as the first ray of sunshine peeked through the shuttered window, Xena was up and in the process of getting dressed. It had taken her some time to finally fall asleep the night before, even with the physical exhaustion that had threatened to overcome her. She'd agreed after much prodding from her daughter to go to her room, but she fought off the fatigue as long as she could. Finally, though, she couldn't keep her heavy eyelids open any longer and she'd passed into a dreamless, light slumber.

Just before dawn she had awoken with a start, sitting bold upright in a dark, unfamiliar room, her breathing heavy. She'd had the immediate sense that something was wrong. A vague sense of emptiness settled in her chest, and looking around she became acutely aware of the reason. After years of waking up with a familiar presence nearby, she could subconsciously sense Gabrielle's absence. And when she remembered the last time she'd seen her, a stab of panic shot through the warrior and she immediately got out of the warm bed.

As she dressed, shivering slightly against the slight chill in the room, Xena tried to force herself to be calm. She couldn't jump to any conclusions. Gabrielle was more than able to take care of herself; despite her protective instincts she knew that very well. For all Xena knew, Gabrielle had returned hours ago and was sleeping in another room. That was the most likely conclusion, she reasoned.

Still buckling the straps on her armor, Xena left the room. As she walked down the short hallway back towards the common room, she glanced at each door she passed, hoping that her acute senses could pick up Gabrielle's familiar snore through the doors. She was disappointed by the silence.

Exiting the hallway she saw her daughter in the empty common room, seated by the fireplace. Xena smiled slightly, imagining how annoyed Gabrielle would be to have two early risers to deal with. Just as quickly as that thought came, she realized that she still hadn't seen the bard. An uneasy frown crossed her face as she sat across from her daughter.

"Sleep well?" Eve asked, looking up from her breakfast and smiling, not yet registering the unease in her mother.

"Yeah, just fine," Xena said, exhaustion coloring her tones. Eve quizzically raised an eyebrow.

Before the younger woman could start to question the warrior, a young woman came out of the kitchen carrying a tray. She made her way over to their table and set down a bowl of porridge and an empty cup in front of Xena. Then she carefully picked up a ceramic jug warming by the fire and poured Xena some tea.

"'Allo, good day to you," the woman said brightly with a large, innocuous smile plastered on her face. Gods, Xena thought, taken aback, I thought I was a morning person but this is just too much enthusiasm for this time of day.

"Estella, this is my mother Xena," Eve offered politely. The woman's eyes lit up even more at the name.

"What a pleasure it is to have you in our neck of the woods!" The woman straightened up proudly. "I hope everything was to your satisfaction last night?"

"It was great, thanks," Xena said absently. She looked towards the bar, hoping to see the familiar faces of the innkeepers from last night. "I don't know if you can help me, but do you know what room my friend is in? I need to see her."

The confused look on the woman's face triggered another alarm in Xena.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know who you're referring to. You and your daughter were our only guests last night."

Xena pushed her chair back from the table and stood up quickly, looking around with only the thinnest veneer of self-control in place.

"Where's the couple from last night that run this place?" Xena asked, her voice tight.

"Theseus and Lysia? They're asleep in the back." The woman pointed to a small alcove hidden in the far corner of the room by the bar. Before she could even blink the warrior was at the indicated door, pulling it open and hurrying inside. "Wait, you can't go in there!"

Aware of the rudeness of her actions, Xena continued anyway. Stomping loudly as she approached the pair sleeping in their modest bed, she gave them a moment to notice before she barked a loud "Wake up!" at the pair.

Lysia blinked her eyes rapidly, confused, while her husband sat up quickly and looked fearfully at the intruder.

"Where is Gabrielle?" Xena demanded.

"What?" the old man finally managed to ask, startled by the abruptness. Finally his mind caught up with him and he raised tired eyes to meet the warriors. "Your friend, right. I was up most of the night waiting, but she hadn't returned by the time Estella had come in. I waited up a little longer, but finally I came to bed."

Xena closed her eyes, choking back the terror building up inside her. Why had she let Gabrielle go alone? Where could she be?

"Maybe she just got turned around in the dark last night. Give her some time and I'm sure she'll show up," Lysia offered in consolation.

"I'd like nothing better than to believe that," Xena managed, gripping her fists tightly and beginning to pace.

"Why don't you go have some breakfast and wait a while. You'll feel better once you've got some food in you. No reason to panic just yet." The elderly man smiled, waving Xena back towards the dining area. She met his eyes for a moment. She felt bad enough about barging in on the sleeping couple, and they obviously didn't have anything helpful to tell her.

Relenting, she nodded slowly. Turning back to the door, she finally noticed the two women standing in the doorway. While the waitress stared indignantly, the soft, understanding expression of her daughter caused the warrior's stern fa�ade to drop for a moment and she let her fear show.

A couple hours later, Xena returned to the inn. She'd tried to sit and wait patiently, but that was never her strong suit. After finishing her breakfast, she'd decided to head out and see if she could find some sign of Gabrielle. She desperately hoped everything was as simple as the innkeepers had said and that she would simply find the bard napping under a tree somewhere. Instead she was even more alarmed to find no sign whatsoever of the bard. She couldn't even locate the site where the man from last night was supposedly attacked by bandits, and that was even more troubling. With her tracking skills, that should have been an easy find.

Eve was sitting expectantly at the bar, waiting for her mother. As soon as the warrior entered, the two women exchanged looks. With a sad glance, both knew there was still no sign of the bard.

Xena approached the bar and sat wearily. She closed her eyes and sighed, bowing her shoulders slightly. She'd thought after the events of yesterday, things couldn't help but improve. Instead, it all just seemed to build. If she had been anyone else, she would have been tempted to give up. There was too much fear, too much pain. And if Gabrielle had been there she might have let a little of that show. But she couldn't now. She had to be strong, she had to figure something out - she needed a plan.

"Eve, do you know what happened to that man from last night?" Xena asked suddenly, opening her eyes and thoughtfully staring off in the distance.

"I think they took him to the doctor's office," the young woman replied.

"Then I guess I'm looking for a doctor now," Xena declared. As she stood she felt a hand on her arm.

"I'm coming with you," Eve said quietly, also standing. "I want to help."

Xena considered, then nodded without speaking. She headed out the door with her daughter right behind.

Within minutes they found themselves at the building indicated by one of the villagers. Pausing momentarily at the door and looking around cautiously, Xena stepped forward and knocked loudly.

Soon a young, well groomed man answered the door. The only thing that betrayed his impressive clothing and spotless appearance were his tired eyes. He looked at the women before him appraisingly.

"Are you the doctor?" Xena asked before the man could speak.

"Yes I am," he replied, glancing them both over again more diligently. "Do you have need of my services?"

"We're looking for someone that would have been brought here last night. The man was attacked by bandits and pretty badly injured," Eve told him.

"A man was brought here last night but he's not in any condition to speak right now," the doctor informed them. "I've got him in stable condition right now, but his wounds were severe. He's been unconscious since he was brought in."

"Just step aside and let me see him," Xena said menacingly. The doctor puffed out his chest in anger and placed his hands on the doorframe. Before either could get into an argument, Eve stepped between them, holding her hands up in a gesture of peace.

"Please, just let us see him. We won't hurt him. Last night our friend went after the bandits and we're looking for her now. We hope he can help us find her, that's all," she told the doctor. Then turning her eyes to her mother, she narrowed them slightly. "We're not here to make any enemies."

Xena softened her stance and turned a beseeching look upon the doctor. Eve also turned to face the man and smiled sadly. His gaze shifted between the two for several moments before he relaxed.

"I don't know that he'll be able to help you, like I said he's been unconscious all night. But I guess you can come in and see for yourself."

The doctor stepped to the side and motioned for them to come in. Still wary of the warrior, he allowed the two women to go ahead of him as they moved further into the building. When they reached the back room and turned around the corner, there was a loud gasp as three pairs of eyes fell on the carnage before them.

While Eve offered a silent prayer to Eli for the man's soul, Xena stepped towards the wrecked corpse. The doctor turned to face away from the scene, resting his head against the wall and sliding down it desolately.

Xena stood above the bloody, unrecognizable body, a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She didn't know what she expected to find from this man, but the carved up remains now staining the sheets red sent her a message loud and clear. If there was any question still in her mind about the gravity of the situation, this answered it. Someone had chopped up this man and left him here for them to find.

As Xena stared hopelessly at the corpse, she noticed something sticking out of the man's mouth. Kneeling down and delicately reaching forward, she pulled at it, revealing something that sent shivers down her spine. Eve moved forward to stand behind her mother, staring at the object suspiciously.

"Mother, what is it?" she asked quietly.

"Morpheus," was all Xena could say.

Chapter Four: Between Life and Death

Black.

That's all Gabrielle could see as she forced her eyes open painfully. It went beyond the usual darkness, the kind where you could still feel out with your other senses and know in a general sense where you were. This was an inky shadow that threatened to consume even the owner until you weren't sure if you really existed at all.

In addition to the absence of light, there was a deep, penetrating chill that cut through the bard. She drew in a shallow breath then cried out silently at the pain it caused. As the air moved into her lungs, it felt as though it opened lacerations in her throat, burning all the way down. She curled her fists into balls and pulled her body in on itself, shivering against the agony and fear threatening to overwhelm her.

After several seconds she forced herself to be calm. Relaxing her muscles, she again tried to figure out where she was and how she got there. The last thing she remembered was being in the woods at night, and then? nothing.

She exhaled a shuddering breath and wrapped her arms around herself, trying to fight the numbness starting to overtake her. She realized slowly that she couldn't even hear herself. She tried to focus on the simple act of breathing, but found it too difficult. Her thoughts were becoming more muddled. She could no longer feel her arms or legs, and she was only slightly aware that she should be worried about it. Nothing seemed to matter anymore, though. Closing her eyes, she slowly let herself drift away.

The forest. Suddenly alert, she remembered what she had been doing there. Bandits, an injured man. She wanted to help, bring justice, stop more innocents from becoming victims. An unfamiliar village. She'd moved stealthily through the trees, keeping the road within an easy distance. It was so quiet, not even the birds stirred. She paused and looked up at the moon, wondering briefly why she'd felt so energized to take up a stranger's cause.

Suddenly she heard a strange, low pitch wail in the distance. She looked off to her right, further into the trees, and saw an eerie, pulsating white light. Then it was as though she could see nothing else, and she was powerless to do anything but go towards it.

The longer she moved towards it, the faster she began to run. Still it seemed never to get closer. Tree branches and shrubs struck her skin, leaving dozens of small stinging cuts. She ignored the aches and continued forward, even though she desperately wanted to turn and run the other way.

Finally, after an unknown amount of time spent pursuing the light, it disappeared with a bright flash. Suddenly it was dark and Gabrielle stopped moving, regaining control of her body. She had no idea where she was, and in the darkness she was too disoriented to head back.

She didn't know how long she stood there, contemplating her next move, before a strong wave of nausea hit her. She doubled over, resisting the urge to pass out. She stumbled backwards slightly, tripping over a tree root. She tried to catch herself and ended up on her knees, out of breath. She tried to stand and couldn't, so she began to crawl across the dirty forest floor, not knowing where she was going but just blindly hoping she would find safety.

Then another wave of pain assaulted her and she felt as though the world had suddenly turned on its axis. She fell sideways, crying out as she landed on something hard. Gasping for breath, she realized the air seemed different here - it was more heavy and oppressive. Gabrielle had lost consciousness before and this feeling was not dissimilar, though it felt much more severe. She turned onto her back and stared up through the tree branches, watching as the small light of the crescent moon above faded to black.

Now she was aware of hard, cold stone beneath her. She didn't know where she was, but she wasn't in that forest anymore. After a few seconds, she came up with a theory that seemed to explain it all. She was dead. This was her afterlife.

Still unsure, she compared it to the other times she'd crossed over before laughing at the absurdity of it all. How many times can I die and it be different each time? And how many times can a person die anyway?

Her mind finally settled on a darker thought. The afterlife could be different each time, she supposed, because she was different each time. Her life had taken an unexpected turn after the last time she'd died. She was not the person she used to be, and not in a good way. She sadly considered her recent actions and philosophy in life.

"I'm in hell," she quietly said out loud. She was startled by the sound of her own voice. She felt a pain in her chest as she realized she deserved to be in this place.

"I'm sure you'll come to think of it that way," a deep, chilling voice intoned from above. Gabrielle opened her eyes and looked around fearfully, but couldn't see anything. There was no apparent source for the noise, and it reverberated within her long after the words ended. The voice didn't appear to come from anywhere in particular, she realized. It was everywhere, and just by existing it was everything.

Gabrielle was thoughtful for a moment. She bowed her head slightly, a surge of emotions coursing through her.

"Then I'm dead." Hearing her own words out loud, Gabrielle couldn't tell if the statement was bitter or hilariously ironic.

"Perhaps. You of all people should know, however, that there are worse fates."

Gabrielle sighed loudly.

"Like dying and not getting any straight answers?" she asked, annoyed. "Who are you? And where am I?"

"So many questions, and hostile as well; I see that patience is lost to you. But patient you will have to be. With time come answers, but until then you should rest."

Gabrielle briefly considered pointing out the futility of dead people resting before her breath was once more stolen from her and she lost consciousness.

Chapter Five: Questions

It was midday before Xena and Eve emerged from the trees at the base of Mount Olympus. In stark contrast with the chill of the previous night, the day was already shaping up to be a warm one. After a couple hours traversing the rough terrain, both were covered in sweat and grime. The entire journey had passed in silence, and neither was in the best of moods by the time they'd reached their secluded destination.

Ever since they'd found Morpheus's medallion back in town, Xena had been even more distant and quiet than usual. She'd taken a moment to consider her next move, headed back to the inn and without a word grabbed her things and taken off. Xena tried to focus on the mission at hand, but she found it hard to ignore the anger, worry and guilt warring inside her. Eve could do little more than follow the agitated warrior and try not to fall too far behind.

It took all of the warrior's willpower to concentrate on placing one foot ahead of the other. If she stopped to let herself think or feel something, she wasn't sure she would be able to pull it together enough to help Gabrielle. The past few days had been non-stop drama, flying from one extreme situation to the next, and last night she had been looking forward to a chance to finally relax and let everything settle in. So much had changed - she'd lost twenty five years of her life and missed out on so much of her daughter's. Was it really so much to ask for just one minute to catch up?

And Gabrielle - she had really wanted a chance to resolve some issues with her. She had been through just as much if not more than Xena. Not only had she been stuck in that ice cave for a quarter of a century, waking up to find the world a different place, but then the gods had used her as a pawn in their crusade against the warrior and her child. Gabrielle had changed so much in the last year, and Xena only now began to appreciate the somber determination the bard had shown since their resurrection at Eli's hands. Xena had been lost at first, and then too preoccupied to pay attention to the toll Gabrielle was paying. Thinking back on it now, though, it was too painfully obvious to ignore. Why had she said and done nothing before?

Eve, for her part, knew very little about the memories and doubts her mother wrestled. All she knew was that Xena was deeply troubled. It was a pattern she was beginning to see quite well. In the short time she had known her mother, she had seen her perform such brave, heroic deeds - this woman had single-handedly overthrown the Olympic pantheon for her daughter. Yet those actions didn't seem to faze her in the least. What did bother the warrior was an overwhelming sense of guilt for so many other things, many that weren't always even in her control. She'd seen an emptiness in her mother's eyes when she had thought she'd killed Gabrielle. Eve knew now that she was blaming herself again for her friend's predicament.

Now that they were at the base of Olympus, Xena finally came to a stop, silently scanning the area for something she knew had to be there. Eve had no idea what they were looking for or what her mother hoped to find here. She watched her mother quietly for several moments before deciding to speak up. She opened her mouth, but before she could speak a single word her mother resumed her brisk pace once again and Eve instead had to hurry after her.

The pair moved about 200 yards along the rocky base of the mountain, weaving through boulders and climbing over the husks of fallen trees. When they stopped again, Eve realized that in addition to the natural elements, there were also remnants of some sort of man made shrine here as well. She was astounded that someone would go to the trouble of building anything so far from any roads or signs of civilization, but she was even more surprised that her mother knew right where to go to find it.

As Eve waited on the periphery of the ruins, Xena stormed into the middle of the site and raised her eyes to the heavens angrily. Her shoulders shaking with barely contained anger, she managed to hiss one word through clenched teeth.

"Aphrodite!"

Eve could barely hear her mother, so low was the growl. She was surprised when a moment later a faint shimmer appeared directly in front of Xena. It took several seconds for the form to materialize completely, but then, preening in all her glory, the goddess of love stood before them.

"You called?" the blonde said casually, adjusting the black sheer cloth that barely covered her body. She was still in mourning, but not enough to disregard her appearance completely.

"I need your help," Xena managed to choke out, the sadness in her voice startling both her daughter and the goddess. Aphrodite's eyes settled on the warrior for a moment in silent but unknowing commiseration. Then she looked around the clearing, growing worried.

"Where's Gabrielle?" the goddess said with uncharacteristic seriousness. Her own eyes began to show a deep alarm.

"Morpheus has her," Xena replied. Only through strong determination was she able to hide the tremble in her hands as she reached in a pouch by her side and withdrew the medallion, handing it to Aphrodite.

"This can't be good," the blonde murmured, noticing the blood on the medal. She tried to hide the disgust on her face as she rapidly took her eyes and mind off the dirty object in her hand. "What happened?"

Xena gave Aphrodite the short version of events, ending with the revelation of the dead body just a few hours earlier.

"I don't know what's going on or why, but I will find her. I can't lose her now, not after everything." A crack opened up momentarily in Xena's fa�ade, not escaping the goddess's notice, before it just as quickly disappeared. "I know you care for her. I was hoping you could help me."

"I don't know what I can do," Aphrodite sadly offered.

"Is there anything you can tell me? Do you know what's going on?"

Aphrodite shook her head miserably, staring again at the medal as she thought.

"This doesn't belong to just any follower of Morpheus. These are given to his elite priests. I don't know any specifics, but if they're involved I know it's a bad thing. They're pretty hard core."

"You don't know anything? You haven't heard or seen anything at all?" Xena implored.

"It's not exactly like there's a newsletter," Aphrodite shot back defensively.

"Do you know where they would have taken her?" Xena asked, ignoring the outburst.

"Well I haven't seen old Morphy in ages, but I would guess his temple up north. It was quite the fortress if I remember correctly. It's pretty impossible to get to if you're not invited."

"How impossible for a goddess?" Xena asked pointedly.

"I wish I could help, but it doesn't work that way. Each god has dominion over his or her own realm, and that includes temples. If he doesn't want me there I can't just pop in. Besides, my powers have started to act a little wonky lately?"

"Please Aphrodite, there has to be something you can do! Gabrielle has always been a good friend to you; you can't turn your back on her now."

"Um, ex-squeeze me, but are we forgetting yesterday? I would never turn my back on her, she's one of the few people who appreciates me for who I really am. I would and have done everything I can for her."

The accusation did not go unnoticed by Xena. She hardened her expression to mask the remorse she felt. Aphrodite softened as she saw the effect her words had on the warrior.

"I'm sorry. Look, I'll see what I can do to help."

"There's got to be some way to get there quickly. I'm afraid of what they'll do to her if I take too long."

"She's probably going to be put on trial for the death of the gods," Aphrodite said sadly, reminiscing about her family and her gentle husband that the woman standing before her had wiped out less than a day ago. The goddess pulled her mourning dress more tightly around herself as she reminded herself that it wasn't Xena's fault.

"That's ridiculous! She had nothing to do with it. If anything she was a victim of the whole thing. The way they manipulated her?"

"Don't tell me. I tried to talk them out of it. I didn't want her to get hurt." Aphrodite winced as she remembered her last sight of Gabrielle. She had been so pale, lost so much blood.

"That's exactly what's going to happen now if I can't get to her in time. There has to be some way you can help." The forcefulness of Xena's tone brought Aphrodite out of her grotesque daydream. She considered her options for a minute before she nodded.

"I think I may be able to help. Like I said, my powers are on the fritz so I can't move you anywhere. But if you meet me at my temple to the north-east of Olympus, there's something I think might work."

Xena thought for a moment, then nodded.

"They've already got a huge start on us. This may be my only chance. I'll be there," Xena promised.

"Luckily for you, I think Morpheus may be having some of the same problems I am with his powers. Our energy is all inter-connected, and with so many gods now gone we're weaker for it," Aphrodite tried to explain. "But you should know that the rest of the gods are moving to consolidate their forces. Every person who ever made a pledge to the temples is being called together. They'll expect you to go after Gabrielle, and they'll all be there. You'll be outnumbered a thousand to one."

"Is that all? You almost had me worried," Xena said seriously. "We wouldn't want things to be too easy, would we?"

"I just hope for Gabrielle's sake it's not impossible," Aphrodite said seriously. "I'll see you at my temple tomorrow, then."

Xena nodded her agreement, and lingered a moment to thank Aphrodite with a raised eyebrow and quiet smile. Then she turned to Eve, who had quietly witnessed the whole exchange, and motioned her ahead. The two mortals were quickly on their way, leaving the goddess alone in the devastated shrine.

She remained a moment longer, listening with a heavy heart to the songbirds nearby who carried on, unconcerned, with their music. Aphrodite then scrunched up her face and shoulders for a moment.

"Oh come on already!" she exclaimed, annoyed. Then, tensing again, she managed to vanish from the clearing with a flourish.

Chapter Six: Resurrection

When Gabrielle awoke from her dreamless slumber, she was pleasantly surprised to actually be able to see. Not that she could tell where she was. She blinked her eyes several times, trying to clear them and distinguish the varied grey blurs that filled her sight.

After a minute Gabrielle's vision cleared and whatever relief she felt at regaining her sight was gone. There was a vague feeling of familiarity to this place, but she couldn't figure out from where it came. Somehow the room managed to be both blindingly bright and starkly bleak all at once. As she looked around she could see wonderfully crafted, brilliantly colored fabric hanging around the room, contrasting with the dark grey stone of the floor and walls. The air was warm and humid but still somehow left a chill deep in Gabrielle. Whatever this place was, it was a study in contrasts.

Gabrielle tried to move, but her entire body felt heavy and weighed down, and she was too weak to fight. She managed to shift her head so that she could look down and she found herself chained to an impressive stone altar. Gabrielle blanched for a second - even after all these years, the memory now stirred in her was one she felt powerless against. She shut her eyes tightly and struggled with the images flashing through her mind of her short time in Dahak's temple. Her body tensed up and she clenched her fists tightly. After repeating a mantra in her head that she was a stronger person now, she finally managed to steady herself somewhat. That chapter in her life was long over, and while the memories were still painful she wouldn't allow them to overwhelm her as they did for so long.

Gabrielle allowed herself a strangled sigh as she opened her eyes again. Rather than live in the past, she now had the present to worry about. After trying for several minutes to gather the strength to sit or stand up and work on the chains binding her, Gabrielle finally gave up. The feeling was similar to being drugged, minus any pleasant sensations and amplifying the bad ones a hundredfold. Her mind felt hazy and her chest heavy. Half of her just wanted to give in and fall back asleep, but the fear she felt at her situation so far managed to keep her conscious.

Gabrielle closed her eyes and worked hard to focus on her breathing. Soon after, her thoughts drifted to Xena. There used to be a time when the warrior would have been the first thing on her mind, but so much had happened between them in the past year - or twenty-six years, she wryly reminded herself. Gods, how old does that make me now? Apparently not too old to get captured like that foolish girl who'd left home so long ago, she thought, frustration mounting. Back then it was more a question of when rather than if she would need rescuing. I guess some things never change.

Letting her thoughts linger a while on Xena, Gabrielle realized that, factoring in the quarter century, they had been together for over half her life. And even with all the pain, death and heartache, it had still been the best time of her life. Growing up in Potedaia had been insufferable, to put it mildly. Since leaving, there had been some incredibly rough times, but at the end of the day when she and Xena were together, it had always seemed worth it. But then there had been the crucifixion, heaven and hell, and the resurrection by Eli. After that, something had changed. She didn't understand how or why, but things hadn't been the same since they'd come back - maybe it was her, or Xena, or both of them. All she knew now, chained alone here in this room, was that she felt more alone than she ever had before.

A creaking noise signaled an end to her reverie, alerting her to an unfamiliar presence entering the room. Gabrielle's body tensed slightly and her mind was suddenly alert. She was aware just how vulnerable she was right now - she wasn't sure she would physically be able to defend herself if necessary. Focus, Gabrielle. Listening to the soft foot falls of her visitor, she tracked the movements across the floor and waited.

"Relax, child. I'm not here to hurt you. Not that you could stop me if I tried. You're weak as a kitten right now."

The deep voice struck a chord in Gabrielle's memory and she tried desperately to place it. Before she could become too frustrated with the effort, a man in elegant blue robes stepped into her line of sight and kneeled before her. Gabrielle's eyes widened in recognition.

"Welcome back, Gabrielle. Morpheus has been awaiting your return," Manus, high priest of the god of dreams, intoned.

"What do you want with me? What am I doing here?" Gabrielle asked quietly.

"So much time has passed, but you're still full of questions I see." The priest smiled, sending a chill down Gabrielle's spine.

"I thought you were locked in your dreamscape or something. Shouldn't you be dead by now?" Gabrielle prodded.

"For many years I was tormented, no thanks to you and your friend. But Morpheus remembers his allies," the priest said dramatically, standing up to his full height and looking down haughtily at his captive. "And his enemies. My god is very displeased with you."

"If Morpheus had such strong feelings on the subject, maybe he should have shown up with the rest of Olympians. Then Xena could have kicked his ass too."

"Big words for such a small, defenseless girl. You'll learn some respect before we're done here." The priest looked at Gabrielle as though she were little more than dirt.

"For your sake, let's hope you learn some respect before Xena shows up," Gabrielle said defiantly. She gave the priest her most withering look. "She'll wipe the floor with you and your god."

"Where is she now, Gabrielle? Do you really think she's coming for you after what you did to her daughter?" Manus smiled darkly.

Gabrielle couldn't quite grasp what the priest was saying, but she felt unsettled nonetheless. As she tried to think what he could possibly mean, her thoughts seemed to flow over each other like water, none staying in place long enough for her to seize. Her mouth opened unconsciously as though she were going to ask a question, and her brow creased with confusion.

"Poor thing. Many things have been lost to you over the past couple days. Your body still remembers, but your mind can't make the connection."

The priest reached down suddenly and grabbed Gabrielle roughly by the throat, lifting her with such speed she felt dizzy. She gasped for breath against the brutal hands holding her off the ground. Then he tightened his grip and Gabrielle cried out against the sudden, searing pain that shot through her entire body.

"Let Morpheus refresh your memory, then," he spoke, and before his words finished echoing in the small chamber she had lost consciousness and slipped into cold nothingness.

Chapter Seven: Forced Recall

The scene before Gabrielle was familiar. Sand dunes. The desert riders. The fight for Eve's life. Yet she felt detached somehow, as though she floated through it all and had no connection to what unfolded around her. She was merely an observer in her own body, the entire scene taking on an ethereal quality with the harsh wind and cold heat adding to her disorientation.

After a short fight, Gabrielle looked upon Xena nurturing Eve and felt the first pang of distrust and hatred building inside her. As suddenly as the feeling came, it left and she felt vaguely nauseous.

Then the world began to spin in front of her eyes and she shut them tightly to fight against the sickness. Then she felt a cold, wet spray hit her skin and she opened her lids cautiously. Now she was looking over the beach where Eve was baptized.

"She's setting herself up to be hurt again," a voice whispered in her ear. A voice Gabrielle hazily recognized as her own. She turned her eyes from Eve to Xena standing nearby. The warrior's face shone with joy and love. Gabrielle felt a strong, physical reaction to the sight. She curled her fist softly at her side, and let the rage overtake her. She also felt a tinge of sadness and jealousy at the same time, and she silently watched Xena for several more seconds.

Suddenly, without blinking, she found herself standing in the courtyard of Joxer's house watching as Virgil charged at Eve with his sword drawn. Gabrielle never even flinched a muscle as he drew nearer. In fact, she found herself fascinated with the sight, hoping he would have the fortune to kill this woman that had murdered his father, her friend. When Xena intervened, Gabrielle was barely able to cover the disappointment in her face.

Now it was night time and she was inside the house. She looked around slowly and saw Eve sitting at a table reading some of her old scrolls. Her stomach turned at the thought of that killer reading her words, sharing the intimate thoughts she'd set down of her time with Xena. Gabrielle didn't want to share any of them with Eve? Livia, rather - murderer, betrayer. She was the reason for this rift with Xena. Ever since the warrior had found out she was pregnant, Gabrielle had been no more than an afterthought. And for what? This woman was a killer.

Now her vision was clouded with rage, and Gabrielle trembled slightly. Then she felt the strangest sensation, and all of a sudden she felt her body separate from her mind and she dazedly watched herself walk forward towards the seated woman. Unexpectedly, Gabrielle was now full of fear and apprehension. She could almost feel what was going to happen next, and it worried her.

With one last glance at her alter ego approaching Eve, Gabrielle turned and looked for Xena. A window was directly behind her, and peering through the slats of the blinds she could see the warrior outside, drenched in heavy rain, the point of her sword at Ares's throat. Now that she was separated from her other self, Gabrielle was no longer gripped by the hate she'd had before. She called out the window at her friend, hoping the warrior could stop what Gabrielle feared was about to happen. The warrior didn't appear to hear her, though, and Gabrielle nervously turned back to the scene inside. Even though she had an idea what would happen, she was unprepared for what she witnessed next.

Across the room she saw herself standing directly behind Eve, her sai raised high above her head. She held still for a second, then Gabrielle saw her other self finally give in to the surging fury. Whatever small hint of hesitation was left in her shoulders dissipated, and she straightened, bringing the blade down with all her force into Eve's back.

"No!" she heard an unearthly wail nearby. Before Gabrielle could turn to see where it came from she saw the chakram fly into the room and strike her other self in the skull, splitting her head open. Gabrielle cried out and stumbled backwards into the wall for support. She saw her lifeless body fall to the ground, an alarmingly large pool of blood immediately forming underneath.

Shaking, Gabrielle turned and saw Xena standing in the doorway holding the chakram. In shock, the blonde watched a trickle of her own blood as it flowed down the razor sharp edge and covered the warrior's fingers with a sticky, red mess. Then it dripped off and fell to the floor. Gabrielle was entranced by the sight.

Xena stood unmoving for a second before running into the room. She headed straight to her daughter and knelt next to the young woman. With tender hands and eyes, the warrior checked on the life-threatening wound that spilled blood across the table, covering Gabrielle's scrolls.

Gabrielle couldn't take the sight anymore and she closed her eyes. All of a sudden she felt an explosion of pain in her head and she thought she was going to be sick to her stomach. She dropped to her knees and, crying out, brought both of her hands up to her head. When she opened her eyes next, she found herself back in Morpheus's cell. Fighting the shaking in her hands and arms, she drew her palms away from her skull and found blood covering them, dripping from her fingertips. She screamed in anguish.

Chapter Eight: Revelations

As the sun began to rise, Xena and Eve found themselves far to the north of Olympus, the rocky mountain outcroppings to their backs and the trees as far as they could see before them. There had been very few stops in the past day of travel, each pushing themselves to the limit before they dared take a moment to catch their breath. They paused now, looking over the vast forest in front of them.

Eve glanced sideways at Xena. The warrior hadn't spoken more than two words to her since leaving Aphrodite's shrine, and Eve was worried for her mother. Xena's eyes had sunken visibly in her face, dark circles forming underneath the red, exhausted orbs. Her shoulders were also hunched slightly from fatigue. Still, there was a fierceness to the warrior's expression that made Eve stop and think twice before speaking.

"Mother?"

Eve waited several moments for a response. Finally, deciding that none was forthcoming, she pressed on.

"Mother, we should rest here for a little while. We've already covered a lot of ground, and we're going to need our strength. Those trees are good cover for an ambush, and right now we're so tired we could walk into a trap without realizing it."

Eve saw her mother's lips press together in a grim line, and her eyes flashed momentarily in protest. Before Xena could speak, Eve raised her voice.

"Please, listen to me. We won't be of any use to Gabrielle if we're dead or injured."

Xena's eyes softened, and she sighed guiltily.

"You're right," she finally responded. Xena looked around for a moment, then pointed off to the side of the path. "There's a stream over that way. Let's go."

The two women pushed through the underbrush, between a few small boulders, and finally settled by the side of the brook. Each greedily took a couple handfuls of water to drink, then Xena splashed some water on her face. She rubbed at her eyes for a moment, then sat back heavily, already anxious to move on. Xena stared off into the distance towards where she wanted to be, and Eve almost wondered if her mother had the power to travel just by sheer force of will. She wouldn't put it past her.

Eve had seen her mother upset before. Specifically when both she and Gabrielle had been mortally wounded, and the gods were closing in on them. At the time, though, Xena'd had so many things to deal with that she never seemed to lose focus. She'd still seemed powerful, in control. Now, however, knowing that her objective was many miles away, possibly too far away for her to arrive in time to be of any use, there was a desperation to Xena that Eve found disturbing. Without thinking, she reached a hand out to comfort her mother, resting it on Xena's arm. The warrior was startled from her thoughts, and turned questioning eyes to her daughter.

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Eve tried to reassure. "Gabrielle's a very strong woman, she can take care of herself."

The momentary flash of pain and regret that registered in Xena's eyes did not go unnoticed, even as the warrior nodded her agreement. Eve thought for a moment, choosing her next words carefully.

"I never did get to finish reading her scrolls. Maybe while we travel you can tell me a little about your life."

"Gabrielle's the storyteller, not me," Xena insisted gruffly.

"Please, mother. I'd love to hear you tell it. There are just so many things I don't know about you. Or Gabrielle. There are some things that I don't understand yet," Eve said deliberately, hoping to pique Xena's attention. It worked.

"Such as?" Xena couldn't hide the curiosity from her voice.

"Who's Hope?"

If her mother hadn't already been under a great strain, she certainly was now. Eve could swear Xena turned as white as a sheet.

"Where did you hear that name?" Xena asked angrily.

"Something Gabrielle said before she?" Eve trailed off, not sure she should finish the sentence. The pain in her mother's eyes told her she'd struck a chord. Suddenly feeling guilty, Eve turned away from her mother and looked up at the sky. "I suppose we should get moving again."

Eve took one last drink from the stream, then jumped quickly to her feet and took off through the brush back towards the path. She didn't even look back to see if her mother would follow. She was sure she'd struck some nerve that perhaps she shouldn't have, and she wanted to give Xena a chance to recover. As she reached the dirt path they'd been following earlier, she felt her mother's presence behind her. Immediately, Eve began to move down the road. The two women walked on in an uncomfortable silence for several minutes.

"She was Gabrielle's daughter." The strained voice was so quiet Eve barely caught the words. She was so surprised to hear her mother speak, it took a moment for the meaning to settle in.

"Gabrielle had a daughter? When? What happened to her?" Too many questions raced through Eve's mind she had trouble setting on any one. This was a surprising answer, to say the least. It had never occurred to her that Gabrielle would have had any children, and the fact that she was on the bard's mind at that particular moment in time was even more troublesome.

"It was a long time ago. We were in Britannia and?" Xena trailed off, what little she could painfully force out causing Eve to feel sorry for bringing the subject up in the first place.

"I didn't know." Eve thought for several seconds about this new information. "Were you two going to look for her next? I mean, you came back for me?"

"Hope's dead," Xena practically spat the words out, and for the first time Eve felt not only hurt in her mother's words but also an underlying anger. "Gabrielle killed her."

Eve stopped walking suddenly and turned to face her mother. All the questions she'd had lined up disappeared, and she simply stood, shocked, rooted to the spot. This was a major revelation, and the casual way her mother mentioned it all gave Eve chills.

Xena met her daughter's eyes, and gave the younger woman a warning look. No matter how much time passed this was still a sore subject, and not one she wanted to get into right now with her daughter. Not while Gabrielle was the prisoner of some crazed god intent on revenge. She couldn't let herself go back to that time and feel those emotions she had before. She'd been so full of hate at the time and blamed Gabrielle for so much. At the time she wasn't sure she could ever get past it, and while they had eventually regained a relationship with each other, it had never been the same as before.

Bringing up all these old memories of Hope would serve no purpose, even though she'd seen the parallel between recent events and these old ones. Whereas before it had taken her so long to forgive, now she could almost even understand Gabrielle's actions from so long ago. The fates must have had a long chuckle when they presented such similar circumstances to the soul mates. Laugh it up then, she challenged. Nothing the gods or fates could throw at them would change the past.

The threatening look Xena had been giving her daughter eventually faded into one of pleading. All this time has passed, and I still don't think I can talk about it. Even she and Gabrielle had never discussed it. It was too raw and painful an experience to revisit. While they had regained some of their easiness with each other, there was always an undercurrent to it. The fear that if one of them said or did the wrong thing, their relationship could just as easily fall apart as it had done before. It was something neither of them had ever dared test.

Now, though, Xena looked into her daughter's eyes. Eve didn't look ready to back down. This discussion couldn't be avoided any longer.

"Long before you were born, before I had even met Gabrielle, I had a son. At the time, I wasn't a good person - I had enemies everywhere. I gave him up so he could have a chance at life he wouldn't have with me. Solan? your brother." Xena was beginning to choke on her words, and she had to pause for several seconds to regain her composure enough to speak. "Much later, circumstances brought him back to me. But Hope killed him."

Xena couldn't continue any longer, it was too much emotionally for her right now. She quickened her pace and pulled several paces ahead of Eve. She fought the tears that threatened to fall as she remembered the young, innocent face staring out with dead eyes. A part of her had died that day as well, something she hadn't known existed until it was gone.

Suddenly Eve's hand was on her arm. The young woman had sped up and matched Xena's speed. She looked at her mother with a pained expression on her face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up such painful memories for you. I didn't know." The compassion in her daughter's words brought Xena to the edge. Still struggling with the emotions raging inside her, she decided to continue her explanation. Eve deserved to know, so she would tell it from the beginning.

"Gabrielle and I went to Britannia. I'd heard Caesar was there and I couldn't pass up the chance to humiliate him, and if I was lucky maybe even kill him. On the way there, we met some worshippers of 'the one god,' and I figured it was easier to leave Gabrielle with them so she wouldn't get in my way. I was so blinded by my hatred, I couldn't see what was going on until it was too late."

Xena was silent for several moments, internally reprimanding herself all over again for everything that happened. The reassuring pat on her arm brought her back to the present, and she tried to recollect her thoughts.

"They used her as part of some ritual. They tricked her into killing someone, then their god Dahak was brought into the world. He? raped her. Soon after that, she had a child. She named it Hope. She wanted? needed to believe that some good could come out of everything."

Eve took a moment to process. She couldn't even picture the events being described, and she tried to unite the information to the person she had met earlier. It was hard to believe that Gabrielle had suffered so much.

"That had to be a difficult time for you both," was all Eve could finally manage, unsure how to respond.

"Gabrielle was the one in pain. So much had happened to her, so much had changed. My feelings at the time couldn't possibly compare," Xena responded almost angrily. As much as she'd ended up angry with Gabrielle over the following events, she knew how deeply her friend had been affected. With the choices she'd given the bard so soon after, she couldn't have expected her to act differently.

"Not even the guilt you felt for everything," Eve mentioned, picking up on her mother's train of thought subconsciously.

"Why shouldn't I have felt guilty? If it hadn't been for my hate and anger we never would have gone there in the first place. And then I pushed her to stay with that? cult. I wanted my shot at revenge, and damn everything else! I didn't want to worry about her while I did what I thought was more important. And then, what happened? it's as if I'd personally hurt her. I might as well have!"

"I also know a thing or two about guilt, mother. I know how it burns, how it cuts deep like a knife. I also know there's a certain amount of comfort to it. It allows us to feel more powerful about things that we ultimately can't control," Eve said forcefully, tightening her grip around her mother's arm and pulling her to a stop. She looked into Xena's eyes, trying to force the older woman to concede her point and release this blame from so long ago.

Xena's mind flashed an angry objection, but she gave a thin, placating smile to her daughter.

"Perhaps. But I have enough things to feel guilty for that you can't explain away."

Eve thought briefly about continuing this debate before deciding against it. Even though she'd decided to follow Eli's teachings, heart and soul, she still was unsure about it enough to argue its finer points. There was still much she had to learn, and she grimly thought how much she had in common with her mother when it came to guilt. Besides, she didn't want to stray too far from the original discussion. She released her grip on her mother and the two slowly resumed their hike.

"So what happened with Hope?" Eve eventually asked.

No matter how many times Xena heard the name it still provoked the same gut reaction. She sighed loudly.

"At first I didn't want to believe it - for Gabrielle's sake I wanted her to have something good come from it all - but eventually I was sure. Hope wasn't a child but rather an instrument of evil. I tried to kill it, but Gabrielle stopped me."

"You tried to kill her child?" Eve interjected, surprised.

"She didn't understand, I tried to tell her, but it wasn't a child." Xena thought back to that argument, this time feeling an empathy for Gabrielle that she hadn't before. She glanced sideways at Eve before continuing. "She ended up tricking me. She told me the child was dead. I knew something wasn't right, but I desperately wanted to believe her so I went along with it."

Xena took a deep breath. She wasn't used to talking so much. Generally it was Gabrielle who did all the talking, though she considered briefly that it had been a long time since her friend had been as talkative as she used to be. So much had changed. For instance, Xena never would have figured that she would end up talking so much about something so painful. She'd buried all these memories and emotions for a reason.

"Months later we were dealing with a crisis with the centaurs and amazons. Hope was there. She'd grown so much in such a short time, it only proved to me that she was inhuman. But I didn't recognize her for who she was. She tricked Gabrielle and killed Solan. So Gabrielle killed her."

Eve glanced at her mother and saw the faraway look in her eyes. It was as though she was back in that time, reliving it all.

"I watched her do it. Gabrielle was devastated. She took the poison from Hope's hand and was ready to drink it herself. I just watched. I think part of me wanted her to do it. It would have made things so much easier. I was so full of hate. I don't think I would have reacted until it was too late."

Eve tried to think of a correct response. Everything that came to her mind seemed too dismissive or condescending. But at the same time, she couldn't believe that her mother would willingly want to see Gabrielle's death. Especially not after the way she acted the other day when she thought she'd killed her friend. She'd caught a hint of something more in her mother's desperation, and seeing that she had a hard time believing in such a deep rift between the two.

"Eventually you got past it all. That's the important thing," Eve finally offered.

"I tried to kill her," Xena replied coldly.

"What? How?" Eve managed, becoming even more confused.

"I had trusted her and she betrayed me. And it wasn't the first time. I thought the only thing I could do was kill her," Xena said sadly. "I still don't really understand what happened. I thought we had both died. But somehow we were given a second chance. Because of Solan we were able to forgive each other and move on."

"I wish I could have met him," Eve offered. "He sounds special."

"He was," Xena said, looking down at the dirt path in front of her.

"But you two did get past it all. That's what matters."

"Yes and no."

Eve waited for some clarification, but not sensing any she tried again.

"I just mean you two are still together, still close. That's important."

"We never talked about what happened. We pretended it never happened, but things were never the same between us. Sometimes it would almost feel like old times, but then just as quickly we'd put the walls back up between us. The last year, that's been the norm. It's more like business between us now."

Xena's thoughts trailed off into memories of all the things that had happened since they'd been resurrected by Eli. She knew instinctively that Gabrielle had been with her the whole time, but she only had fleeting glimpses of their interactions. They hardly talked to each other, only speaking when it was necessary. Something unknown had come between them, and they'd let it do the work that so many mortals and gods had tried before. Xena grimaced at the thought that she probably had spoken more to Joxer than Gabrielle in that time.

It didn't seem right, yet Xena knew that she and Gabrielle had been even more distant than they had been after the rift over Hope. At least that time there had still been strong, passionate emotions - even if they were those of hate. The last year there hadn't even been that. She was correct in her description of them as business associates. They were mere acquaintances with a job to do. They just happened to travel together. At the thought, Xena became more hopeless and despondent than before.

Eve watched her mother's mood slide down into depression, and the bleakness in her expression was frightening. Not for the first time she wondered at the extent of the relationship between her mother and Gabrielle.

"The fact you two stayed together through everything must mean something. When we find her, I'm sure you two will figure things out."

Eve hoped for her mother's sake she was right.

Chapter Nine: Escape

When Gabrielle finally regained consciousness, she found herself alone again, lying on the cold stone floor of Morpheus's cell. She fought the nausea in her stomach, and blinked her eyes a few times. The blinding pain in her head made is nearly impossible to focus, but she managed to push it to the back of her mind so she could concentrate on her current dilemma.

Summoning every ounce of strength, Gabrielle pushed off from the floor and managed to sit up. As various questions gnawed at her mind, she determined to focus on one thing at a time. First things first, she needed to get free of the chains binding her to the floor.

Methodically, she looked the manacles over, fighting back a quick bout of queasiness as she tilted her head down just a bit too far. She gingerly raised a hand to her head and probed the painful area in the back. Despite the thick crust of dried blood, there didn't appear to be any wound. Whatever magic the priest had worked on her, it didn't appear he meant to injure or kill her, yet anyway - just slow her down, demoralize her. As if the events of the past few days hadn't been enough, she thought dejectedly. As the images she'd been shown in her dreamscape earlier reappeared in her mind suddenly, she conceded the priest was doing a pretty good job of it.

Returning her attention to the chains, Gabrielle found them to be ancient and quite unusual. Rather than each link being made separately and then forged together, they all appeared to be entwined. Upon closer inspection, she found one promising spot - one of the sections appeared overly rusted and weakened. Given enough time and muscle, she was sure it would break. With a weak tug on the shackles, she decided that would have to be her backup plan. She was in no condition right now to break much more than a sweat.

After further scrutiny, Gabrielle was finally able to locate the keyhole. It took a stroke of luck for her to realize the metal latch tying the chains to the ground actually hid a sliding metal plate in the floor. It took some work, but she was finally able to push the plate in with her fingertips and reveal the lock.

This was one of the few times Gabrielle was thankful to have spent time with a master thief. Not that she'd ever planned on following in Autolycus's footsteps, she still had been curious enough to watch how he worked. After some time she'd gained an above average knowledge at lock picking. She was at least fluent with the jargon and theory behind the skill. She'd never be great at it, but sometimes a little knowledge went a long way. Gabrielle prayed this was one of those times.

In her eagerness at learning new things, the bard had also picked up a few other tricks from the king of thieves. Quieting herself as much as possible, she listened intently for several long moments before proceeding. Once she was sure she wasn't about to have any immediate visitors, Gabrielle curled her leg up towards herself and reached into the side of her boot. Supposedly the work she'd had done on her boots was to make attaching her sais safe and easy. The last thing she wanted was to get through a battle unscathed only to stab herself in the leg when it was all over. It didn't hurt, though, if the slender metal insert could also be removed and used for other purposes.

Gabrielle smiled to herself as she managed to pull the improvised pick out of her boot. She'd been surprised to find it still there even after all these years, and in decent condition no less. Maybe things were starting to look up for her. As she slipped the thin metal into the keyhole, she closed her eyes in concentration and bit her tongue. Unable to rely on sight, she had to feel instead for the pins she needed to hit. After what seemed an eternity, she heard a light clicking noise. She opened her eyes and smiled brightly. Something was going right for her after all.

As quietly as possible, she slid the chains out and off of her wrists, laying them in a pile by the altar. One task down, an unknowable number ahead. But at least the first one was out of the way. Now was time for her second mission - the cell door.

Putting her hands on the side of the stone altar, Gabrielle slowly pushed herself to her feet. It took a few moments for the dizziness to pass, but after that she felt ready to continue. As she unsteadily crossed the short distance between the altar and the door, she was thankful her strength was coming back, bit by bit. Whatever the priests had done earlier to make her feel so weak appeared to be wearing off. One more point for me, she told herself, mentally preparing a list of what little good fortune she was finding.

As she reached the door she placed her palms flat against it, steadying herself. After a couple minutes of examination, she exhaled angrily. There was no way to open the door from the inside. It was a demoralizing end to her streak of good luck. For now she was trapped.

Leaning back against the door, Gabrielle placed the lock pick back in her boot and then surveyed her surroundings again. If she had to wait for someone to open the door, she was going to be ready for them. Moving back into the cell, she quickly devised a plan.

Chapter Ten: Assistance

Xena and Eve moved quietly through the gloom of the forest. So far they had been lucky and were making good time - there had been no encounters along the way, and despite the lack of sleep, both had enough skill and determination to cover the ground quickly. Mentally calculating the hour, Xena figured they could be in the valley by mid-morning.

Suddenly a twig snapped nearby and both mother and daughter instinctively stopped in their tracks. With very little concentration, both could hear a rustling noise up ahead on the trail, coming towards them. Their eyes met briefly and Xena nodded at her daughter. Without a word passing between them, they both disappeared from the path into the shadows, awaiting their visitor.

After a moment there was another loud noise and a sudden exclamation. Eve scrunched her face up curiously, wondering who could possibly be doing such a terrible job of stalking them. Certainly she didn't expect to find any travelers this far out in the middle of nowhere, so this was either a diversion or the absolute worst surprise attack in history. Looking over in the general vicinity of where she last saw her mother, Eve caught Xena's eyes. All pretense of caution was gone and the warrior rolled her eyes to the heavens.

The noise was practically upon them now. Just as the stranger was about to cross the road between Xena and Eve, the warrior reached out and clamped a hand over the startled blonde, pulling her into the trees.

Aphrodite was both surprised and annoyed. She struggled vainly for a second to free herself from Xena's grip before letting out a loud, haughty sigh. As soon as she stopped fighting and relaxed, the warrior let her loose and almost immediately the barrage of angry insults began. Xena stepped forward menacingly and the goddess stopped, fearful. The tall warrior narrowed her eyes in warning and held a finger in front of her lips, signaling the goddess to be quiet or else. Unsure, Aphrodite obeyed.

After a few moments, the warrior pointed back towards the road, still warning the blonde to be quiet with her eyes. Aphrodite turned and caught a glimpse of a dark warrior unhurriedly stalking down the road, his sword drawn. He appeared alert, but he was totally unprepared for the crushing blow Xena let loose on him. The warrior crumpled to the ground, unconscious. Xena stood still a few seconds longer, listening intently. Once she was sure he was alone, she turned an incredulous look upon the goddess of love.

"What do you think you're doing? Trying to lead Morpheus's army straight to us?"

"Chill with the 'tude tall, dark and angry. I was coming to give you a heads up," the goddess explained as she straightened her rumpled hair and dress. "You're welcome by the way."

"Yeah, thanks a lot," Xena replied derisively. "Now if you don't mind, I've still got some ground to cover by morning without you leading every soldier my way."

"Before you get started with the sarcasm maybe you could listen once in a while. I was coming to tell you that Morpheus's army is on the move. They're coming this way so you're going to have to take the back road to my temple." Aphrodite flashed a dark, appraising look at Xena. "I'll never get what Gabby sees in you."

Whatever righteousness the goddess felt she had working for her went right out the window with the look the warrior fixed on her right then.

"First of all, what Gabrielle does or does not see in me is none of your business, got that? Second, I can take care of myself - much better in fact, when I don't have crazy goddesses leaving armies a well-marked trail to find me."

"I'm not saying you're not good Xena, but I think even you would have a hard time fighting your way through the hundred men coming down this road right now. At the very least it would slow you down."

Seeing the warrior relax a little as she saw the truth in her words, Aphrodite decided to try a different approach.

"What we both want is Gabrielle safe, so let's drop this whole animosity thing we've got here and work together. After that you can kick the ass of anyone and everyone you want."

Xena sighed, the truth of Aphrodite's words sinking in. Much as she didn't like admitting the goddess was right, they both had the same concern. Forcing herself to be friendly to the woman Gabrielle called a friend was a small price to pay if it helped her rescue the bard.

"So what's your idea then? You want me to head to your temple, but if Morpheus's army is out here then that leaves me a clear shot to his place."

"You're still a couple days away from getting to his temple, at least. And there's another army gathering there - the acolytes of the rest of the gods are on their way, so it's a race you're likely to lose."

"Unless you've got a better plan I don't see much choice," Xena said coldly.

"As a matter of fact I do. I remembered a story Gab told one time so I had an idea. Thanks to me, we happen to have a mystic waiting at my temple to be? mystical."

Xena was obviously taken aback on more than one level. Aphrodite had managed to come up with a decent plan and was being helpful. As surprising as that was, Xena found herself more baffled at the idea of the goddess and Gabrielle having story time together. A short stab of jealousy was quickly pushed to the back of her mind, though.

Aphrodite waited for a reaction and when she saw the warrior's shoulders release their tension she knew she'd won. With a self-satisfied squeal she started towards her temple, trusting the warrior to follow. Xena hesitated a moment, found some vines to tie up the unconscious soldier on the ground, and soon was following the goddess, Eve at her side.

They three women walked in silence for some time before Xena's curiosity got the best of her.

"So when did you and Gabrielle have time to share stories?" Xena asked, trying to sound nonchalant but failing miserably. Aphrodite couldn't help but smile at the jealousy so obvious in the warrior's voice.

"Don't you know, Gab and I are like this," the goddess said, holding up her hand and wrapping two fingers together. At the angry look from the warrior, she changed her mind and, straightening her fingers, pressed them side to side instead. "Well, maybe more like this. But I don't get into bondage and oil wrestling with just anyone."

Eve almost wanted to chime in that she had heard differently, but when she saw the hurt look in her mother's face she decided to remain quiet. Besides, the visual Aphrodite had put in her head was a little unsettling, now that she thought about it.

Aphrodite waited a few more moments, relishing the uncomfortable look both mother and daughter had on their faces. While Xena squirmed, the goddess waited for a response. When none was forthcoming, she decided to continue.

"Besides, she needed someone to talk to while you were busy doing your thing, ignoring her. Pregnancy hormones my well defined bottom, you were just grouchy and miserable."

Both Aphrodite and Eve could see how hard that hit home with Xena as the warrior's stride was interrupted momentarily and her shoulders slumped. Whereas Eve felt sympathy for her mother, the goddess smirked, glad for the pain she could cause this woman.

"You were too busy to be a friend to her. You had to know how tough it was for her, but you couldn't be bothered to talk," Aphrodite said, narrowing her eyes accusingly. "Whenever she needed me, though, I was there. See, Xena, I don't turn my back on my friends."

Xena stopped walking and stared angrily at the goddess, who also stopped and matched the glare. Before the confrontation could escalate, Eve stepped between the two women, holding up an arm to each woman pleadingly.

"Let's just take a moment and calm down. We're all friends here."

"Friends? My family is gone, my husband dead - all by the hand of your mother. If it weren't for Gabrielle, we wouldn't be here talking right now." Turning her eyes back on the warrior so she could see her reaction, the goddess continued. "You want to see your mom as some hero, but I know better. I think Gabrielle was finally starting to figure that out too."

Xena stared deep into the goddess's eyes, trying to read her thoughts.

"Did she say something to you?" Xena finally asked. Her voice was so quiet Eve barely heard the words. Aphrodite glanced at the young woman, wondering if what she had to say was appropriate in front of Xena's daughter. Quickly taking the hint, Eve stepped out from between them.

"I'm going to check the road ahead," she told them, though she wasn't sure they heard her. Without waiting for a reply, Eve started off into the forest and quickly disappeared. After a few moments the soft sounds of her footsteps also vanished. Xena and Aphrodite stared at each other intently for several long moments, suddenly unsure they wanted to have this conversation.

"Promise me that no matter what I say you're not going to?" Aphrodite made a slashing motion across her neck. Xena rolled her eyes and nodded. "Good, because I'm just telling it like I see it."

"And obviously I'm not going to come out of this well. Apparently you think I'd kill you for your opinion," Xena said coolly. "Is that really what you think of me?"

"Not that I entirely blame you, but you did off most of my family the other day," Aphrodite countered. "And you nearly killed Gabrielle, despite claiming to care for her. I think it was a fair question."

"I don't have to explain myself to you. And you're really lucky I'm in a good mood, or I'd take exception to you questioning how I feel about my best friend," Xena said menacingly.

"There you go again with the threats. I don't know how Gabby puts up with you."

"She puts up with me just fine," Xena argued. This conversation was going nowhere, and it was putting her in an even worse mood than before. Who was Aphrodite to judge her anyway? "You caught me off guard earlier, but I don't believe for one second that Gabrielle would confide in you about anything. You may have heard some stories, and I know I haven't been the best friend lately, but I have a hard time accepting that she would go behind my back and say something against me. No matter what, if she had something to say, she would say it to me. Not some random goddess who shows up whenever she wants attention."

"You're right. You two have been communicating so well lately, obviously you'd be the first person she'd go," Aphrodite said, aggravated at the warrior's hard head. "Besides, it's not like she was complaining about you. It's hard to believe but she was actually defending you. How's that make you feel, to know that even when you're oblivious, selfish and borderline abusive, she'll always stand up for you?"

Xena barely had time to acknowledge the small swell of joy she felt hearing that Gabrielle was defending her. It never failed - even, Xena noted with regret, when she didn't deserve it. Filing that information away for later reflection, Xena gave Aphrodite a look that normally made men tremble at her feet. Right now, though, the goddess was so worked up it was totally ineffective.

"What point are you trying to make? That I can be stupid and selfish? That's hardly news," Xena argued.

"What I'm trying to do is make you think about how you've been treating her. She's my friend, and I'm tired of seeing her get hurt by you. It's about time you make a decision and get honest with her."

"What decision are you talking about?" Xena asked, really confused this time.

"How you feel about her. You know how she feels about you, but you keep jerking her around, going hot and cold. One second you can't live without her, the next you can't be bothered."

Xena shook her head a few times to clear it, then began to walk off in the direction Eve had gone. This was neither the time nor place for this discussion. Once she was sure she was far enough ahead of the goddess so that she couldn't see the emotions warring in her face, Xena finally spoke.

"You've got things all wrong. We're friends, nothing more."

"So that whole thing at the Amazon village after you died? That was what? Or are you trying to tell me it never happened?"

Xena's mind suddenly flashed upon another time and place. The memory that sprung to mind stopped her in her tracks, her eyes staring ahead vacantly and her mouth dry.

"How could you? She wouldn't have?" Xena could hardly speak, let alone finish a question.

"She didn't. I am the goddess of love. Hello!" Aphrodite watched as the warrior seemed suddenly lost, her body losing all the well-honed discipline and slumping like a caught child. After a few moments, Xena visibly forced herself to stand up straight again and resume walking.

"That was a mistake."

The warrior's words floated quietly through the air, barely reaching the goddess.

"Really? That was the mistake, and not how you acted later on?" Aphrodite asked pointedly. "I guess we have different definitions of the words, then."

This time she could tell the warrior wouldn't continue the argument. Besides, the branches were catching on her dress and Aphrodite was tired of the dirt, the bugs, and especially the walking.

"I think I've spent enough time slumming it. I'll catch you later at my temple."

With a grand gesture, the goddess made to disappear but nothing happened.

"Come on, this is totally ruining my exit!"

With one more wave of the hand, Aphrodite disappeared in a shimmer of pink sparkles. Not that Xena paid any attention. Her mind was far in the past.

Chapter Eleven: Memories

The cool evening breeze felt wonderful against her skin, and the smell of flowers in the air tickled her nose. And on the way back to the village, the sunset had seemed more beautiful than she'd ever seen it before. Not that Xena had ever been one to notice, but coming back from the dead had a way of making you appreciate simple things.

Putting her hands on the cold stone surface behind her and leaning back, Xena looked up again at the night sky. Through the trees above she could just make out some of the star patterns she'd looked at so many times before, but they all appeared new. Same with the bright crescent moon that was just beginning its ascent into the sky. Xena sighed contently and let a small smile find its way to her face. Everything was different now. It was hard to explain, even to herself.

Or, as Xena noticed the figure making its way through the trees towards her, maybe it wasn't so hard after all. The slight curvature of her lips turned into a full blown smile as Gabrielle approached. The small blonde smiled back, and Xena happily noted the crinkle around her friend's eyes as she did so. That was one of the things she never thought she'd see again, and seeing it now meant more than she dared say. As Gabrielle reached the small clearing she took a seat next to her companion, wrapping a comforting arm around Xena's waist.

"You planning on spending all night out here?" Gabrielle asked teasingly. Xena shrugged nonchalantly, her eyes twinkling despite her casualness. With some difficulty she managed to break their gaze and return her eyes to the sky above.

Gabrielle smiled contentedly at the sight. After a minute though, she shifted uncomfortably. Looking at the rock they were both perched upon, she tightened her grip around Xena's waist quickly.

"Don't get me wrong, this is a nice enough spot, but this rock is cold and hard, and I think there's a bird right above us with an agenda," the bard said, glancing up quickly at the branches.

"Well then, what do you suggest we do?" Xena asked playfully, returning her gaze to the younger woman's eyes. They stared at each other quietly for several seconds, each unwilling to break the moment. Time seemed to slow until their reverie was broken by the loud squawks of the bird overhead.

"We could go to my place?" Gabrielle said somewhat suggestively. Almost immediately Xena saw the horror and embarrassment in her friend's eyes, and the bard turned away quickly. Hoping Xena wouldn't notice the sudden flush in her face, Gabrielle began to babble. "I just mean? well, whatever you want to do. Maybe you're tired. It's not every day you come back from the dead. Well, not every day. But?"

As Gabrielle trailed off, silently cursing herself for her nonsensical chatter, Xena chuckled quietly. Gabrielle closed her eyes, mortified. Before she could work up the courage to apologize, Xena spoke.

"It's not every day I get invited to the queen's hut. I can't pass up such a good deal," Xena said softly, still amused at the flustered look on her companion's face.

Standing quietly, Xena held out a hand to the still seated bard. Gabrielle locked eyes with the warrior and almost immediately any fear she had was gone. She reached out and took the proffered hand, gently weaving her fingers through the warrior's and standing. With a smile the two began their short trek through the trees.

They traveled in silence the entire way, neither fully believing their luck. They were together again - it wasn't something that had seemed possible, and they didn't dare to dream, but here they were anyway. Not even death could separate them.

When they reached the village, both noted gratefully that the area was deserted. The events of the day had taken a toll on everyone there, and whoever wasn't already passed out in bed was on patrol further out in the trees. Thank the gods for small miracles, Xena thought.

The short distance to the queen's hut was a blur to them both, and before they knew it they were inside, the door clicking into place behind them. Suddenly regaining her nervousness, Gabrielle realized her throat felt dry. She looked around fretfully for something to drink and was glad to find a small platter of food and a jug of wine on a table nearby. Only now aware that her hand was still in Xena's, she loosened her grip fearfully.

"Would you like a drink?" Gabrielle asked, moving across the room towards the table. Xena pretended not to notice the uneasiness in her friend's voice and she nodded silently when Gabrielle glanced back.

Filling two goblets with the liquid, Gabrielle picked them both up and returned to Xena who still stood by the door. Handing one to the warrior, Gabrielle took a small sip then coughed abruptly.

"Strong stuff," she managed, grinning weakly. Xena sniffed the contents of her cup and raised an eyebrow in agreement.

Noticing that Xena just continued to watch her silently, Gabrielle decided she needed the drink anyway. Steeling herself quickly, she downed the entire drink in one gulp. She blinked against the burning sensation in her throat, reaching out and putting a hand against the wall to steady herself.

"I'm impressed," Xena finally said. Only then did she take a drink out of her own cup, also finishing it all in one swallow. Gabrielle looked at her quizzically before reaching out and taking the empty goblet.

"I guess we were thirsty," she said as she went back over to the table. Setting both cups down she looked again at Xena and was caught by the intensity of the warrior's gaze.

"More?" Gabrielle asked, motioning towards the bottle. Then suddenly she became aware that Xena hadn't eaten yet. She had no idea how her friend was dealing with the whole ordeal of coming back from the dead. If it had been a trying experience for her, she could only imagine how Xena was doing. "You must be hungry. Tired? Do you feel all right? Is there anything I can get you?"

"I'm fine, Gabrielle. As long as you're here, that's all I need," Xena answered candidly. Suddenly overcome by the need to hold her friend, she quickly crossed the room and enveloped the blonde in a tight hug. Unconsciously, Xena ran her hand through Gabrielle's hair and kissed the top of her head. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." The words were so quiet Xena almost didn't hear them, but she was still able to pick up on the sadness behind the words. It hurt her to know that it was her fault, and she tightened her embrace even more, resting her cheek atop Gabrielle's head. Xena closed her eyes and slowly moved her fingers up and down Gabrielle's back, feeling the bard shiver slightly at the touch.

"We're together now. That's what matters," Xena murmured softly. "I won't leave you again, I promise."

The next words she wanted to say caught in her throat. I love you. Xena remembered hearing Gabrielle's thoughts while she was on the other side, but she still wasn't sure enough to let the bard know how she felt. Xena opened her eyes and stared into the distance, apprehensive, uncomfortable from the feeling of fear that had settled in her chest.

"I love you," Gabrielle whispered bravely, putting Xena to shame. All the emotions raging inside left the bard feeling lightheaded, and she held on to Xena for dear life. Xena smiled, realizing not for the first time that she could learn a thing or two about courage from this woman. As the arms around her squeezed even tighter, Xena groaned slightly.

"Easy. I still need to breathe," she joked. The way that Gabrielle immediately released her hold and stepped back an arm's length, Xena suddenly wished she'd kept quiet.

"I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking. Are you okay?" Gabrielle said, looking Xena over while avoiding her eyes.

"I'm fine. I didn't realize my spine needed realigning but it feels good now," Xena teased, feigning annoyance. Before Gabrielle could get too down on herself, Xena's hand was on her chin, lifting green eyes to meet her gaze. When the bard saw the conspiratorial grin on the warrior's face, the sudden way Gabrielle's eyes squinted and her face hardened let Xena know she was in trouble.

"You better watch it. There's plenty more where that came from," the young woman threatened, putting one hand on her hip and jabbing her finger in the warrior's chest with the other.

"Oh, I'm scared," Xena mocked, backing away slowly. With a flash of the bard's eyes and a small purse of the lips, the chase was on.

All the while taunting each other, the two circled warily around the hut, avoiding the sparse furniture without breaking eye contact. Eventually Xena allowed herself to get cornered against the wall, and she put her hands in front of her, beckoning Gabrielle closer. Undeterred, the bard took the opportunity and dove at the warrior. The tickle fight was on.

The frenzied struggle was punctuated by laughter, and no matter how small a target Xena tried to curl into the bard's fingers still managed to find her ticklish spots. Trapped, she tried to pull Gabrielle's fingers away with one hand while the other attacked the young woman's midsection. Gabrielle hunched over unexpectedly, giggling hysterically, and jumped at Xena. The two women collapsed in a heap on the floor, the blonde lying atop the dark warrior, both trying to control their breathing and protect themselves from further assault.

Gabrielle's head lay atop Xena's chest for several moments as they both tried to calm down. Soon they were both breathing evenly but neither moved - Gabrielle hypnotized by the sounds of Xena's heartbeat, Xena by the soft exhalations against her chest. Eventually Gabrielle tightened her arms around Xena's waist as she fought the sudden urge to cry. Xena began to stroke the young woman's hair, unsure what was wrong.

"Gabrielle? Are you okay?" the warrior asked, concern obvious in her tone. While Gabrielle tried silently to calm herself again, Xena became more insistent and raised the bard's head so she could look in her eyes. She was surprised at the sorrow she saw there.

"Please, talk to me," Xena tried again.

"Just? I thought I'd lost you," Gabrielle choked out, not wanting to let her friend see how emotionally drained she was. It had all been too much. This was supposed to be a time of joy, not misery. She couldn't help reliving the past couple weeks in her head, though. Seeing Xena's pale, cold face, and knowing that she would never smile or see those blue eyes again - Gabrielle shut her eyelids tightly, trying to ward off the images.

"I know," Xena said quietly. Gently she held the bard as she sat up. Still cradling the woman in her arms, she rested her cheek atop her friend's head. Absently she put one arm around Gabrielle's waist and the other around her upper back, stroking her shoulder with her fingers. "I'm here now, though."

Gabrielle pulled back slightly, looking into Xena's eyes. The question was evident in her gaze.

"How do I know this isn't a dream?"

Xena didn't know the right words to say, so she did the only thing she could think of. Leaning forward slowly she closed her eyes and pressed her lips against Gabrielle's. The kiss started out soft and comforting, but quickly turned deeper. Gabrielle seemed taken aback at first, but soon raised her hands to Xena's face and kissed back hard. They continued for several moments before breaking apart. They stared into each other's hooded eyes for what seemed like an eternity, each silently asking and answering the same question.

Slowly Gabrielle leaned forward and again pressed her lips to Xena's. They began their passionate exploration again, this time taking it further. Gabrielle nipped Xena's lower lip and then flicked her tongue out, tasting the warrior's lips, daring them to open. Xena opened her mouth and their kiss deepened, their tongues delving into new, uncharted territory, and wrapping their arms around each other they fell backwards onto the floor again.

Their bodies pressed together tightly, and Gabrielle pushed Xena hard against the floor. Xena for her part clutched at the young woman's hips and held them firmly against her, their bodies rocking slightly against each other. They continued their oral explorations for some time before finally coming up for air. Still unable to break the contact completely, they continued to lay pecks on each other's mouth, chin and neck.

Xena closed her eyes, reveling in the sensations shooting through her body right now. She shuddered as suddenly Gabrielle pushed a leather strap off her shoulder and began to kiss her collarbone. After spending a second enjoying the feeling, she pulled the bard up to face her, kissing her again. When they broke apart, both were breathing hard and having a hard time concentrating. With great difficulty, Xena forced herself to speak.

"Are you sure?" she questioned, looking anxiously into Gabrielle's eyes. The smile she received was all the answer she needed, and Xena grinned back. She very quickly jumped to her feet, holding the young woman in her arms. She carried Gabrielle over to the bed and, once there, set her down gently. Xena then laid herself down on her side right next to the woman. Before she could even think, Gabrielle was pushing her back into the soft sheets, her lips on Xena's.

As Gabrielle began her slow seduction, her hands working at removing Xena's leathers, the warrior thought how lucky she was. And as soon as the nimble hands succeeded and reached her body and the bard's tongue touched her throat, any semblance of thought was lost.

While Gabrielle dozed peacefully against her shoulder, Xena stared at the ceiling, her mind racing too much to allow sleep. And truthfully, she wouldn't have wanted to sleep anyway, too intent on remembering every second of this night. As surprised as she was with how the evening turned out, she was even more astonished by the way she felt afterwards.

She'd slept with plenty of people before, but it had always been a purely physical act. As soon as she was sated she'd move on. This time was different - every sensation was intensified by just the thought of the person touching her. And for once she was content to stay when it was over. In fact, she had to admit, she actually enjoyed the aftermath - talking softly with Gabrielle, watching her drift to sleep, holding her as she snored slightly and feeling the gentle rise and fall of her body as she breathed.

Xena's mind started to drift onto the more physical aspects of the evening. Warriors had nothing on bards, she'd decided - they were all power with none of the subtle talents possessed by one who made a living from oral prowess. As she began to lose herself in that train of thought, a careful yet insistent knock on the door woke the warrior from her reverie. She blinked her eyes a few times, unsure if she imagining the sound. Calculating the time by the angle of the sunlight through the window, she was curious who would be bothering them at such an early hour.

Gabrielle shifted slightly and Xena forgot about the door, looking down at the woman sprawled across her body. A smile reached her lips, and she began to move her hand along the bard's naked back, caressing the muscular frame. As she continued her stroking, Xena brought her other hand up to Gabrielle's cheek and she bent down slightly to kiss the top of the bard's head. As she began to run her fingers through the soft blonde hair, the young woman showed signs of stirring.

Xena noticed the knocking at the door again as it became more insistent. She looked over, annoyed, as though somehow her displeasure could be transmitted through the door and cause them to leave. Finally she gave up on that tactic and shouted loudly.

"Go away!"

"I need to speak to the queen."

Ephiny's voice. Xena sighed and closed her eyes, laying her head back tiredly on the pillow. Couldn't the Amazon take a hint?

"What is it?" Gabrielle slurred, still half asleep. "Can't it wait?"

Xena was surprised the young woman was awake, and turned her face towards the bard. Lovingly the warrior traced a thumb across Gabrielle's cheek.

"Good morning," she murmured quietly.

Gabrielle tilted her face up and they shared a private smile. As soon as they heard Ephiny's voice again, both lost their grins and looked irritated instead.

"I'm sorry Gabrielle, it can't wait. Can we please talk?"

Xena and Gabrielle gazed at each other a moment longer in silent communication. Finally Gabrielle rolled her eyes.

"Gods, amazons can be so annoying," she said under her breath. Then, quickly catching herself, she gave Xena a hard stare and pointed a finger at her in warning. "Not a word from you."

Xena smirked innocently, putting her hands behind her head.

"I'll be out in a minute," Gabrielle shouted towards the door angrily. When the two women heard Ephiny move away from the entrance, the bard sighed and collapsed theatrically on Xena's chest. After a few seconds she chuckled quietly to herself.

"Think she'll notice if I just go back to sleep?" Gabrielle asked.

"One day as queen and you're already tired of your responsibility," Xena replied, smiling.

"Whatever they want can't be that important," the bard reasoned. "I'm sure it'll work itself out. I don't feel like moving."

"So when you said go back to sleep you actually meant sleep?" Xena teased, raising an eyebrow knowingly. Gabrielle propped herself up suddenly, much more energetic than before. With a wicked grin, she crawled up the warrior's body and planted a soft kiss on her lips.

"I can sleep later." As she moved in again to start anew, both women heard a commotion outside the door. They looked at each other, frustration evident.

"Unless you want an audience, you should probably deal with Ephiny now. Sooner you deal with whatever she wants, the quicker we can get out of here and have some? alone time." Xena pecked Gabrielle's lips chastely before leaning back into the pillow again.

"There's an idea," Gabrielle said brightly, warming immediately to the thought. Then she looked pensive and sat up suddenly. "You don't think there will be a problem with me leaving, do you?"

"They can't make you stay." Xena reached out and took one of Gabrielle's hands, stroking the back of it lightly with her thumb. "No matter what, we'll figure something out. Once you talk to Ephiny things will be more clear, I'm sure."

Gabrielle nodded and rolled her eyes.

"I get your point, I'm going!" the bard said dramatically, all the while not moving a muscle.

"I could always just carry you out there if you're too tired, my queen," Xena teased, eyes glinting evilly. As the warrior made a move to sit up and make good on her threat, Gabrielle lightly pushed her back to the bed.

"You're impossible, you know that."

With great difficulty, Gabrielle finally lifted herself from the bed and began the search for her clothes. Xena watched her new lover with great interest. When Gabrielle was finally dressed and ready to go, she turned back to the warrior and, putting her hands on her hips, grinned at the sight of the naked woman in her bed.

"When I get back, you're in trouble."

With that promise hanging deliciously in the air, Gabrielle moved out to start the day.

The next day, Xena knew she had made a mistake. Not that it felt like a mistake - it felt like anything but. She was made painfully aware, though, of the problems that were unavoidable with such an intense relationship.

Xena could tell the exact moment she knew of her dilemma - while Gabrielle was turning over the mantle of leadership to Ephiny. They had stood together on stage, brazenly flirting while the Amazon ceremony took place. Even surrounded by so many other people, they only had eyes for each other. That's how Velasca had managed to stumble in and break up the festivities unchallenged. Looking back on it now, Xena could see several different ways the whole mess could have been avoided. But 'if only' did nothing to change reality, and the following events had taken a toll, both physically and mentally. I messed up, I slipped, and now Gabrielle is paying the consequences.

I can't give her what she wants, what she deserves. What I want as well. Xena had stopped listening to reason, to her instincts, and in less than twenty four hours all hell had broken loose. Being in love was an amazing feeling, something Xena never thought she was capable or deserving of. But the reality was that such intense passion clouded her mind, made her slow and foolish, and nearly got the object of her affection killed. It just wasn't worth it, no matter how right it felt. No matter how much time or how many ways she looked at the situation, it was a mistake. One she couldn't dare repeat.

Xena's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Gabrielle's loud, exasperated sigh behind her. She knew Gabrielle had been staring at her for some time, both hurt and confused by her friend's distant behavior. Xena cringed inside, thinking back to the night before when they had been forced to camp with Callisto. It had been her decision to free the murderer, and when she'd seen the pain in Gabrielle's eyes after an evening confrontation, it was as if Xena had intentionally hurt her friend. What Xena didn't know was that the real pain was caused less by Callisto's words - Gabrielle expected as much - but more from the lack of interest on Xena's part in going after her when she stormed off.

Xena had desperately wanted to go after her friend and comfort her, hold her close and murmur soothing words in her ear. It just wasn't something she could trust herself to do anymore, not only because of Callisto's watchful eyes, but because of her own perceived failings. If she touched Gabrielle again she wasn't sure she could stop herself from doing something stupid again. One of the things she was going to need to work hard at was regaining the self-control she'd spent a lifetime perfecting. And if Gabrielle hurt now, well, it was better she get used to the idea soon.

Now that the whole ordeal with Callisto and Velasca was over, Gabrielle did seem aware of some shift in their relationship. Normally she'd be so talkative that Xena would wonder how she was able to continue breathing. Now, however, the two walked in silence. And the normal closeness with which they would travel was gone too - Gabrielle was doing her best to keep her distance. Xena closed her eyes for a moment in fear and regret - regret for what had happened, and fear for the change it seemed to be bringing to their friendship. This wasn't what she wanted.

Gabrielle sighed again and Xena decided she had to break the stalemate between them. Hopefully the friendship could still be salvaged. She wasn't sure what she would do without it.

"Looks like we're almost back to the village," she said matter-of-factly, trying to break the ice.

Gabrielle just mumbled her assent, which made Xena worry even more.

"It was a good thing you did yesterday, pardoning the amazons who had supported Velasca. Some of them played an important role in helping us," Xena told her friend, hoping a little ego boost would raise Gabrielle's spirits.

"Yeah, I guess."

"Your one queenly proclamation was a good one. You've got a knack for that sort of thing," Xena replied, her enthusiasm genuine. "You sure you want to give it up?"

As soon as Xena asked the question she knew it was the wrong thing to do. Even without turning around, she could tell that Gabrielle had practically blanched at the suggestion and stumbled a bit in surprise.

"You? want me to stay with the amazons?" Gabrielle asked, the distress obvious in her tones.

"That's not what I meant. I just thought you liked having people to boss around," Xena answered jokingly, trying her best to cover the panic she was feeling.

"Right."

"But I guess that's what I'm for, so forget what I said."

"Uh huh."

Xena stopped mid-stride and turned around suddenly to face her friend. Gabrielle barely managed to avoid running into the warrior, and she looked up at Xena's face in surprise.

"Gabrielle?" Xena paused, searching for the right words to say. "Whatever's going on, can we just be friends for now? Please?"

Xena paused again, gauging the bard's reaction. Seeing the conflicted look in Gabrielle's face, she was overcome with the sudden urge to grab the woman and pull her close, and she just barely managed to stop herself. Despite the effort, she couldn't help the words that came out of her mouth next.

"I don't know what I would do without you."

All the confusion in Gabrielle's eyes left at the words, and she mutely stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Xena, resting her head on the warrior's shoulder.

"I don't know what I would do without you either. Let's not find out," she said quietly.

Xena hugged her friend back, resisting the impulse to give in to her feelings again. If they were going to be friends, this was something she had to get used to again. She would do it, because there was no alternative. For Gabrielle, she would learn.

After a few moments they broke apart and wordlessly resumed their trek to the Amazon village, this time side by side. While they'd bridged this problem between them, the tension remained unspoken. And so it would for a long time to come.

Their relationship went through ups and downs throughout the years. Sometimes they were cold and distant, but sometimes it almost felt like that amazing night all over again. Xena could remember every single time she faltered and almost gave herself away - so soon after the incident with Velasca there had been the battle with Gareth. Having so much time to sit and think and talk with Gabrielle nearly drove her crazy, and when they bathed together - it took all her willpower to treat the bard's body with indifference when all she'd wanted was to take her right there.

Then after that there was the incident where she nearly lost her eyesight. The thought of never seeing Gabrielle's beautiful face or smile again had nearly broken her. She would have sworn that she gave herself away when she rescued the young woman from the coffin, and then when her eyesight was restored. She nearly begged for forgiveness upon seeing Gabrielle's eyes again. Xena had to believe that the bard knew what she was thinking and feeling after that.

Which is why, immediately after that, she'd thrown herself at Ulysses. Every time she remembered him she had to roll her eyes and wonder what she had been thinking. It's not that he was necessarily a bad guy - though he had been willing to leave his wife for her - the man was just incredibly dull. Luckily for Xena, he had also been dense and desperate enough to play into her game. She needed a diversion - something to keep her away from Gabrielle and hopefully send the young woman a message at the same time. Ulysses fulfilled both uses quite well. Xena offhandedly wondered if he really had felt something for her. She almost felt guilty for leading him on like she did - almost.

The thing she really felt terrible about was Gabrielle's reaction. Yes, Xena had wanted to send a warning to keep away, but she hadn't meant it to be so painful for the woman. She'd tried to find the words to just tell Gabrielle that their night together was something that could never happen again, but she wasn't quite so gifted when it came to words. Whatever she came up with always sounded so patronizing and disrespectful in her mind so that she ended up saying nothing at all. Then, at random times, her actions would nearly betray her. She had to do something, and if words couldn't be it, then some grand action would have to suffice.

One night she was in the hold of the ship with Ulysses, Gabrielle pretended to sleep but Xena knew the bard too well. It was as though she had a direct line to the woman's essence - she was always hyper-aware of everything about her companion, and listening to the quiet breathing across the room, she wasn't fooled. Xena decided right then and there to settle things, to send a message.

She'd practically thrown herself at Ulysses, and even though she herself was completely turned off she managed to fool both him and the woman she loved. As she kissed him, her thoughts were focused on the one across the room. She was sure she could feel the misery radiating from the young woman. When it was over, Xena stole a glance at Gabrielle and could see, even though she hadn't moved, the dejection in her form. Before she could let the guilt eat away at her and cause her to undo this, Xena had taken off.

With difficulty, she'd managed to complete the charade over the next couple days, convincing Gabrielle that her feelings were only of a friend, not a lover. Even when they left Ithaca together without Ulysses, Gabrielle never forgot that lesson. In all the years since, they'd managed to regain their close friendship, and - even when Xena faltered in her resolve and let her actions prove her true feelings - Gabrielle had never done a thing to try and change their relationship.

Xena had made her stand, and that's the way things would be. It had hurt, but over time she managed to regain her peace of mind.

Chapter Twelve: Plan of Attack

Gabrielle wasn't sure how long she'd been waiting, she realized, as she stretched her tired, aching muscles once more. She felt as though she'd been run over by a speeding chariot, and the effort of keeping alert was taking its toll on her. Several times she felt her mind begin to wander and slowly drift towards sleep, but each time she managed to pull herself back and try to think about her strategy. She had to be awake, she had to do something useful rather than sit here and wait for whatever Morpheus had planned. With each succeeding bout of exhaustion, however, she had a harder time fighting it off. If something didn't happen soon, she wouldn't be able to stall her slumber any longer.

As she mentally reviewed sai technique and moves in her head for what must have been the hundredth time, she finally heard something. It was very faint, but she immediately became alert. Footsteps, coming closer - someone was finally coming to see her. Pushing all thoughts out of her mind, Gabrielle tensed and rose to her feet, ready to finally put her plan into action.

After a minute, the door to Gabrielle's cell opened and the outline of the priest could be seen in the doorway, backlit by the torches in the hallway. He paused as soon as he noticed the complete darkness inside the chamber, and Gabrielle could vaguely make out the indecision in the lines of his face as he considered what to do. Finally he turned to grab a torch off the wall behind him. Before he knew what was happening, a sharp kick in his spine sent him flying face first into the wall. As he tasted the blood now streaming from his nose and lip, he felt a sharp tug at his belt and immediately he had a dagger at his throat.

"Does this feel familiar?" Gabrielle asked gruffly. "Except this time you can't be sure I won't kill you."

Gabrielle gave the priest a moment to let the fear sink in before she drew the knife back. The man closed his eyes, preparing for the inevitable, before a quick, sharp pain in the base of his skull left him unconscious. Gabrielle dropped her hand to her side, the blade pressed flat against her forearm and the hilt grasped in her fingers. She angrily looked a second longer on the man who had held her captive before dropping to her knees next to his inert body. She searched his robes quickly and, finding some keys, dragged his limp form into the cell. Shortly thereafter she had the door locked, and she turned to take in her new surroundings.

The next part of her plan was unwritten as yet. Basically it consisted of finding a way out of this place, and staying alive long enough to do it. Now that she was out of the cell, though, she realized it was going to be a bit more difficult that she'd thought.

Looking back and forth in each direction of the hallway, both were completely identical and stretched as far as the eye could see. Without a single hint as to which direction lay the way out, she tried to remember from which side the priest's footsteps seemed to come. When that failed, she took a gamble and randomly picked. As she quietly headed off to the right, she silently prayed she wasn't heading into a trap.

After what seemed an eternity Gabrielle finally saw a gate at the end of the corridor. Slowing herself down to a crawl and tightening her grip on the knife, she approached the door silently. When she reached the end of the hallway, she put her ear up against the cold steel and listened. Quickly she was able to detect two voices coming from the other side engaged in a hushed conversation.

"Have you heard the plans for that army outside? Makes me glad we drew this lot," one man said nervously.

"I don't know. I think I'd rather be out there, no matter how crazy or suicidal the orders get. This place?" Gabrielle could hear the man shiver. "It does things to you, makes you go crazy in the head. You've seen the old timers."

Once Gabrielle was sure she could gauge the distance of the speakers and she knew they were away from the door, she quietly opened it a crack to look inside. The two men she'd heard were, luckily, the only ones in the room, sitting together by the far wall playing cards. Unluckily, they were seated right by the only other door in the room. That door was the only way out, and she was going to have to deal with them to get to it.

"I'd be quiet if I were you. You don't want that priest to come back and hear you saying that," the first guard said warily. "Besides, they aren't bad, they're just?"

Even from this distance Gabrielle could see, by the faces the man was making, he was trying to find a better word for insane. Finally, his education failing him, he settled on a descriptor.

"Intense." The two men shared a knowing look.

"I guess I should just be glad we're not one of the poor slobs stuck in there," the second man replied, nodding his head in Gabrielle's direction. She stiffened, expecting them to see her in the doorway, but both were so focused on their game that neither raised their eyes from their cards. "The things they do to them."

Both men shivered this time, and Gabrielle could tell they'd reached a natural stopping point in their discussion. Silently she sighed, still not having figured out a good way to approach the situation. She was sure she could take them - while they wore the uniforms of guards neither seemed to actually have military training - but the problem was getting to them both before they could sound an alarm. If they did that, she knew, she was finished.

Suddenly Gabrielle felt a prickling sensation on the back of her neck. Her body began to tremble uncontrollably, and she turned to look behind her. There was nothing there, but she could feel something approaching. A cold darkness began to creep its way through her body and she felt her fingers begin to numb almost instantly.

"Not again, I hate this part," one of the guards said behind her.

The voice sounded even more distant than before and Gabrielle turned again to look at them. She was starting to see spots in her vision, but she still noticed the men hunch over in their seats, squeezing their eyes shut and wrapping their arms tightly around themselves.

It now felt like all the air was being sucked out of the hallway, and Gabrielle knew this was her last chance. She jumped up and ran as fast as she could. It's now or never, she thought dazedly.

Dropping her knife as she ran, she launched herself at the oblivious guards. Neither man heard a thing as she grabbed each one by the back of the head and brought their skulls crashing together. With a sickening crack, both men collapsed to the floor.

Gabrielle didn't even pause as she completed her attack, leaping over the bodies as they fell. With two huge bounds she was at the door. She could feel the frigid air overpowering her now, like pins stabbing her skin, and she threw all caution to the wind and ripped the door open. Her vision almost completely blacked out now and her feet giving up, she managed one last time to hurl herself into the next room.

Luckily she appeared to be alone in a damp, dark cellar. Several yards away she saw the vague outline of a staircase, leading up and presumably out of this hellhole. Gabrielle smiled briefly at the thought of freedom as she stumbled to the side. Falling backwards and connecting with the stone enclosure, her eyes rolled back in her head. She was unconscious before she hit the ground, falling into a narrow gutter along the wall, and quickly becoming drenched by the slime it carried from the dungeon.

Gabrielle jerked awake suddenly, gasping in deep breaths as she tried to calm her nerves. Finally the shaking in her body stopped and she sat up slowly, taking in her surroundings for the first time. It took less than a second for Gabrielle to realize she wasn't in Athens anymore. Or, more accurately, Morpheus's temple.

This must be my dreamscape, she guessed, as she looked around the ethereal tunnel she found herself in. 'Wake up!' she mentally screamed at herself, slapping herself in the face. The stinging in her cheek did nothing more than annoy her, and Gabrielle anxiously got to her feet.

As she looked around the dark passageway, turning in a circle, she wondered if someone was collecting her physical body at that very moment. If so, she wasn't sure which was worse - waking up back in a cell, or staying in this dream. She recalled Xena describing, in no great detail, the horrors of her dreamscape. Gabrielle pinched herself on her arm, trying once again to rouse herself. With a curse and an angry red welt on her arm, Gabrielle decided to stop abusing herself and explore the place.

It was hard to figure out where exactly she was. The tunnel walls seemed dark and craggy, and rather than any visible light source a strange glow seemed to emanate from the foggy floor. The distinct absence of sound gave Gabrielle chills, and she was further disturbed to find, as she moved randomly down the corridor, that the light and air shimmered and shifted forms. One second she was in the hall, the next she found herself in a sizeable chamber. As she stopped in her tracks, the walls continued to move away until they were no longer in sight. Soon, other than the mist swirling around her feet, there was nothing left to see except darkness.

After idling in the same spot, unmoving, for several confused moments, Gabrielle decided to turn back and head the way she came from. As she spun around she found herself faced with her childhood home from Potedaia. Confused, she slowly stepped forward and knocked on the door.

A few moments later the door swung open and Gabrielle was faced with her father. As much as she realized it couldn't be him - the fact that he hadn't aged a day since she'd last seen him, and that was over 25 years ago now, was a tip off - she still unconsciously stepped back in surprise. She was assaulted by a mixture of feelings that welled up inside, a mixture of both fear and sadness, and while he stared at her coolly she remained unable to speak.

"So you're back then," he said callously, looking over his daughter. Gabrielle could clearly see the contempt in his eyes as they finished their inspection, then raised to look around her. "Alone, I see."

Gabrielle opened her mouth to reply but found she couldn't speak. He looked at her a moment longer, waiting, before casually pushing the door open further for her to enter.

Gabrielle timidly stepped inside and her father closed the door behind her. Without a further glance or word he disappeared into the back, leaving Gabrielle gaping at the recreation of her childhood abode. There was still the same worn furniture, the recognizable patch on her mother's favorite quilt from the time a four-year-old Gabrielle had decided to play swords with a hot fireplace poker and, taken aback by the high temperature of the metal, had tossed it away to land on the cloth. Then there was the haphazardly repaired window shutter from when a somewhat older but no more wise girl had decided to sneak out to hear a new bard down at the tavern. Gods I got in a lot of trouble, Gabrielle thought, not letting her mind dwell on the many punishments that obviously did nothing to deter her behavior.

As much as she wanted to feel nostalgic and remember her childhood as a more innocent time, Gabrielle couldn't feel too much homesickness for this place. She had left for a reason. It wasn't just the tall, dark-haired and stunningly beautiful warrior that had caught her eye, although it certainly helped with her decision.

Hearing some muted sounds coming from the kitchen, Gabrielle awoke from her reverie and headed back. When she stepped into the room she saw both her mother and sister, hard at work making dinner, and Gabrielle's lips curled up in a smile. These two she had missed. Her mother, always the dutiful wife - Gabrielle had a hard time remembering the woman doing anything other than cook, tend the garden or stitch up their clothes. That is, other than tend to her headstrong eldest daughter's numerous injuries, Gabrielle thought grimly.

And Lila - Gabrielle couldn't help but admire what a wonderful young woman her sister had grown into. As children neither had shared a single interest, it seemed, but they'd still managed to be best friends. Lila had always wanted to take after their mother and learn to cook and sew, and Gabrielle would always drag her out on some crazy mission she'd concocted. The young girl would object the whole time but dutifully follow along, her eyes fearful and disapproving. Gabrielle still felt bad about the time she'd dragged her sister out into the snowstorm and they'd gotten lost, but later that night, after the punishment her father had doled out, Lila had crawled into Gabrielle's bed and snuggled up comfortingly. No matter their differences, they had remained close.

Neither woman noticed Gabrielle's scrutiny as they went about their tasks quietly. Her mother finished chopping some vegetables and as she moved to put them into the pot Lila was stirring she finally caught a glimpse of her wayward daughter standing in the doorway. She stopped dead in her tracks, staring at Gabrielle.

"Hello mother."

Hecuba looked a moment longer at her daughter before emptying the vegetables in her hands in the pot. Then wiping her hands on her apron, she slowly moved towards Gabrielle and gave her daughter a perfunctory hug.

"Gabrielle, how nice of you to visit," she said formally. If Gabrielle was surprised by the lack of warmth in her reception, she didn't show it as she smiled back.

As her mother stepped back Lila jumped at Gabrielle, encircling her sister in a big hug.

"I missed you!" the younger woman said, a huge smile on her face. Gabrielle's smile widened in return as their mother went back to chopping vegetables nearby.

"I missed you too!" Gabrielle said emotionally. Even knowing, or perhaps because of knowing, that this was a dream, Gabrielle was overcome with grief at knowing how long she'd been gone. While she and Xena were trapped in that ice cave, life had gone on for twenty five years. Her family couldn't have had any idea what had happened, or worse, they would have heard that she'd died at the hands of the gods. Gabrielle briefly wondered at how they'd reacted when their daughter had disappeared off the face of the earth.

"To what do we owe the pleasure?" her mother's voice broke through the cloud of Gabrielle's thoughts. The bard noticed then just how loud and hard her mother was chopping the vegetables this time. Gabrielle was taken aback by the hostility.

"I don't know," she said, faltering. "I wanted to see you, I guess."

"Is that so?" her father said from behind her, causing Gabrielle to jump. Lila moved away from her sister, hiding her eyes, and went back to cooking at the stove.

As Gabrielle turned to face her father, she couldn't help but flinch at the sight of his impassive expression. She could feel the tension in her back, and she found it difficult to force herself to relax around this man. She'd faced gods and armies, but he could still get to her like this. Even after all these years, she thought grimly.

"Are you sure the reason you're here doesn't have to do with the mess you've made of things? Are you sure that? woman? didn't finally tire of you and send you away, and now you're just looking for some sympathy?"

The disgust practically dripped from his words and his eyes bore holes into Gabrielle. Helplessly, she could do nothing but watch as he snorted at her in derision and made his way into the kitchen, taking up his place next to her mother. He reached down and grabbed a piece of carrot off the counter, all the while keeping his gaze on his wayward daughter.

Lila, reacting to the tense atmosphere in the room, mumbled an excuse about cleaning up before dinner and retreated outside. That hasn't changed either, Gabrielle thought bleakly, glad at least that her sister still had the good sense to disappear whenever her father was in one of his moods. That had always at least comforted Gabrielle - Lila was good at avoiding their father's rage, and he never went looking for her when he was like this. It was a small, happy miracle anyway.

"Daughter, you know how much we love you," her mother spoke up quietly, finally looking at Gabrielle with a pleading affection in her eyes. "Why couldn't you have listened to your father when you were younger? Things would be so much easier now."

"Who would it be easier for? You?" Gabrielle asked incredulously.

"Do you have any idea how much you've hurt your mother? Your sister? What about me? Do you even think about anyone other than Xena anymore?" her father spat out angrily. "Think of the shame you've brought on your family! Have you ever wondered why Lila was never married? Nobody would have anything to do with us after you left. Who would willingly join themselves to the family of a wanton murderer?"

"I'm not a murderer," Gabrielle said quietly, forcing a calmness to her voice that she didn't feel. Her increasingly labored breathing gave away her anger, though.

"What do you call what you do, then?" her father accused, stepping out from behind the counter and approaching Gabrielle. When he was close enough, he leaned down into her face and Gabrielle was surprised to see the level of fury in his eyes. "What about what you did to our granddaughter?"

"I had to? it was the greater good. I help people," she tried weakly to explain, her father's words cutting deep.

"You think you're better than us, but take a look at the blood on your hands!"

Gabrielle did look down at her hands and was surprised to see them stained red with blood. Her shoulders began to shake as she fought the pain building up inside of her.

"Yes mother, what would you call what you did to me?"

At the voice Gabrielle looked up in shock. The mirror image of her own face looked back with pity. Hope stood less than two feet away, studying the dejected form of her mother.

"I didn't have a choice," Gabrielle protested, her voice quaking. Suddenly she needed to sit and think so she went over to the dining table and took a seat. As Gabrielle propped her elbows on the wooden surface and put her head in her hands, Hope and her parents moved in closer, surrounding her.

"You say it so much you almost believe it," Hope said calmly. "Almost."

Kneeling now in front of her mother, Hope took Gabrielle's hands in her own and forced the bard to meet her gaze. The corner of Hope's mouth quirked up when she saw the guilty expression on her mother's face.

"You can be honest with me, mother. I know it was Xena," Hope said peacefully. "Everything you've ever done has been for her, hasn't it? You gave up your family, a home, your blood-innocence, your ideals? and for what?"

Gabrielle closed her eyes, unable to reply.

"When Xena had her own child she was so protective of her. She'd hardly let you hold her without standing over you, watching your every move. She didn't trust you. And after me, why would she?"

Gabrielle didn't fully trust what her daughter was saying, but the words didn't sting any less for her disbelief. The accusation cut like a knife. Gabrielle forcefully pulled her hands away from Hope and set them in her lap, staring vacantly at the discolored skin.

"You always said you'd be different. You'd be better than me." Her father was speaking now. Gabrielle dully raised her eyes to look at him. "As a parent - and as a human being - I never could have even imagined the depths you'd sink to."

"You've shamed us, brought misfortune upon our house," her mother said sadly. "You're not my daughter anymore."

Quickly raising her hands to cover the tears now falling from her eyes, Gabrielle's mother ran from the room. The three people left in the kitchen watched her go, then both father and daughter turned accusing eyes on the bard.

"You've put me in an impossible situation," her father said, wandering towards the counter nearby. "There's only one way to redeem our family's honor."

Gabrielle anticipated his next action but was still surprised when it happened. He picked up the knife that had been, up until a few minutes ago, used for making dinner. Its new purpose was decidedly more sinister, and Gabrielle's father turned to face his daughter with determination and anger in his eyes.

"Looks like it runs in the family," Hope snickered, moving out of the way.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion as Gabrielle watched her father approach her, his leisurely pace a marked contrast to his harsh intentions. She remembered vividly now what it was like as a child in this house, all the memories she'd pushed into the recesses of her mind. After being told all her life how different she was, how wrong she turned out, she thought she'd gotten past it when she gathered the courage to leave. But now, faced again with a similar situation to what she'd dealt with many times before, she found herself still feeling like a small, scared child.

She wasn't that girl anymore, though, she finally forced herself to concede. Before her father could even raise the knife to strike, she'd jumped out of the chair and lunged at him. He was disarmed almost immediately, the weapon clattering loudly against the floor. Roughly, Gabrielle grabbed him by the collar and pushed him down to the ground. When he got over his shock he angrily tried to push her off, but Gabrielle tightened her grip around his throat and he began to gasp for air.

Now instead of rage Gabrielle only saw fear in his eyes and it fueled her wrath even more. She curled her fingers around his neck and lifted him slightly, only to slam him back down to the ground again. She did this several times, tears beginning to spill from her eyes, and his head hit the floorboards harder with each push.

"Is this how it felt, father? Did it make you feel better to beat up on a defenseless girl? Did you feel strong, like more of a man?" she shouted at him. "You were my father!"

Eventually he stopped struggling and Gabrielle relaxed her grip, letting go of his unconscious body. She rolled away and curled up, drawing her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. She sobbed quietly like that for several moments.

After a while she managed to calm herself somewhat and she raised a hand to wipe at her face. When she opened her eyes she saw her mother and Lila enter the room, looking horrified.

The two women immediately ran to the unconscious man on the floor, falling to their knees beside him. They checked on him anxiously before raising accusing eyes to Gabrielle. She was surprised to see the anger they both had for her.

"How could you? Your own father?" her mother choked out.

"I don't even know you anymore," Lila said sadly, the disappointment evident in her voice.

Now noticing the knife lying on the floor between Gabrielle and the unconscious form of her husband, the older woman visibly recoiled. Then she looked at her daughter and seemed to resign herself to something.

"Why don't you just finish it, then?" she asked.

Gabrielle didn't know how to respond. She wanted desperately to defend herself and her actions, but she couldn't find the words. Then, as though she had no control over her own body, she leaned forward and crawled towards the knife. She picked it up and held the blade pointed out towards her family, her eyes heavy and dark. Lila and her mother stared back blankly, waiting.

Finally Gabrielle turned the knife around in her hand. The blade pointed straight at her own heart, she wrapped both hands around the hilt and straightened her arms for one final strike. As she quickly brought the blade towards her chest she heard a disembodied scream that tore through the air.

"No!!!!"

Chapter Thirteen: The Mystic

As Xena exited the tree cover and at last saw Aphrodite's modest temple in the morning sunlight, her mind cleared itself of the guilty memories she'd been reliving all through the day. Eve stood on the temple steps, waiting patiently for her mother. After the goddess had disrupted their trek earlier Xena had been extremely distant and troubled, so Eve had opted to keep ahead and had arrived about twenty minutes before her mother. Noting the look on Xena's face as she approached, Eve scrunched her eyes in sad sympathy, positive she'd chosen the best option.

"Are you okay?" she asked quietly, wanting to break the silence.

"Yeah. I'm just ready to get this started," Xena replied, jumping quickly up the short set of stairs. She quickly disappeared into the temple interior, Eve following close behind.

Passing the foyer and entering the large inner sanctum, the two women found a graying man cowering in the back of the temple. He was dressed in familiar blue robes, and as Xena noted his constant terrified glances at the unconcerned goddess nearby, she smiled. Xena approached Aphrodite as the woman admired a statue of herself.

"Does it get your approval?" Xena teased. Aphrodite turned around and rolled her eyes at the warrior.

"It's about time you got here. I've got more important things to do than baby-sit ex-mystics with zero communication skills. Let's get this show on the road!"

"Hold on a second. Why should I trust this guy?" Xena asked pointedly, turning a cold gaze upon the mystic. He began to cower under her look.

"Don't sweat it. He's terrified of gods - that's how he ended up in Morpheus's temple - so I've got a little leverage on him," Aphrodite said, chuckling at the thought of anyone being frightened of her. "Besides, I made him a deal he couldn't refuse."

Xena looked the man over carefully. The fear in his eyes was unmistakable, but the real question in Xena's mind was how, if he was so afraid of gods, specifically Morpheus, he would have gotten out of the temple life. The temples were notorious for holding onto their disciples for life - to either a natural end, or one meted out to heretics. This man was either not telling the truth, or he was extremely lucky - and Xena didn't trust people with such good luck.

Xena walked up until her face was mere inches from the man, and she stared deep into his eyes. The man's legs seemed ready to buckle at any moment, but somehow he managed to return the gaze - with even a hint of defiance, if Xena guessed correctly.

"I'm going to ask you some questions, and if I don't like your answers you won't get a second chance to reply, got it?" she said in a quiet but menacing tone so that only he could hear her. Xena was vaguely aware of the discomfort of both Aphrodite and her daughter, but right now she had more important fish to fry.

"Either you've got a guardian angel or your backbone is a little stronger than you're showing. How'd you get out of service to Morpheus?"

"I was actually kicked out of the temple last week. I was replaced by someone whose views were more? in tune with my god," the man said weakly, obviously still stung from the blow to his pride.

"And they just let you walk out, is that it?" Xena prodded.

"Not exactly, but I'd been there most of my life. I knew the back ways in and out, so I ran."

Xena narrowed her eyes, studying the man further. After a while she determined he was telling the truth.

"So what is Morpheus up to these days? What's he got against my friend?"

The man's lips started to quiver, and he opened his mouth several times before he could find his voice.

"It's because of what you did to the other gods. He wants revenge, and he also hopes to stop you before you can finish the job."

"They never seem to learn, do they?" Xena said to herself before turning her attention back to the mystic. "How does Gabrielle fit into this? Does he think killing her will stop me? If anything, it'll just make what I do to him that much more? gruesome."

"I don't know the plan, that's why he brought in this other priest. I don't have it in me to torture anyone. I doubt his plan includes killing her anyway, at least for now."

Xena thought about and agreed with that estimation - if Morpheus was looking to kill Gabrielle it could have been done that night without bothering to abduct her - but the disturbed look in the priest's eye didn't allow her to be too content with that thought. More likely whatever they were doing to Gabrielle was much more horrifying. She had to finish this now so she could go after her friend.

"So any ideas about the plan whatsoever?" she asked, anger rising in her voice. This was the last test, and if he failed she'd have to find another strategy for rescuing Gabrielle. "Maybe it includes trapping me in my dreamscape, leaving Eve and I defenseless, so you can kill us both."

"What? No!" the man exclaimed, afraid he'd said or done something wrong. He had no idea what mistake he'd made - he'd only told the truth - but it looked like death was coming for him, one way or another. Finally giving up and accepting it, he dropped to his knees before the warrior and bowed his head, ready for his punishment. Both Eve and Aphrodite looked on, shocked.

"Well, that's good to know." Xena said genially, extending her hand towards the man. He looked up, surprised, then tentatively reached out and was pulled to his feet. "Let's get started then."

Xena and Aphrodite waited in silence along the wall in a back room of the temple, watching the mystic run around gathering supplies and preparing for his spell. Eve had volunteered to stand guard outside the temple so she could raise an alarm if any soldiers found their hiding spot. Each person was filled with tension at Xena's imminent departure - Eve fearful for her mother's safety, the priest for his own, Aphrodite for her image if the plan failed, and Xena? she couldn't take her mind of Gabrielle. Nobody was particularly comfortable with this strategy, but it was the only one they had.

The atmosphere between Xena and Aphrodite finally became so uncomfortable that, when the goddess looked at the warrior as though to speak, she was interrupted before she could utter a single sound.

"Don't say it," Xena warned. She turned her head to give Aphrodite a cautioning look which only served to annoy the goddess more.

"What I was going to say is I hope I got through to you earlier," Aphrodite managed to interject. Pausing to collect her thoughts, the goddess turned her attention to the fringe of her dress, straightening it. "I don't dislike you, you know. I may get really frustrated but? I know you were just defending yourself from my family. I get it."

Xena looked thoughtfully at the blonde goddess for a moment before nodding appreciatively.

"And I know how upset you were after? well, you know? with Gabby. You like to pretend you're this unshakable warrior, but I'm the goddess of love? I know what's going on in there."

Xena turned her gaze away for a moment, taken aback by Aphrodite's words and the memory they brought back. Finally she returned her eyes to the woman beside her.

"You've been a good friend to Gabrielle. Even when I wasn't there for her, I'm glad you were looking out for her. Thank you," the warrior said quietly. After a few more moments she decided to answer Aphrodite's earlier query. "And yes, you've made me think about some things I've been avoiding."

Aphrodite smiled hopefully at Xena, beaming. Before either of them could get into a deeper discussion - thankfully, they both thought - the mystic approached and let them know he was ready

Xena took a second to prepare herself for what she knew was to come. Whatever she faced in the dreamscape, she realized the true test would be when she finally saw Gabrielle again. Seeing the fear in the warrior's eyes and rightly guessing its cause, Aphrodite put an encouraging hand on the warrior's shoulder.

"Go get her. Bring our bard back."

With a thankful nod to the goddess, Xena followed the mystic to the altar to begin the ritual.

Chapter Fourteen: The Reckoning

When Gabrielle's eyes painfully managed to open, she found that she was no longer in Potedaia. She was hunched forward on her knees in what most closely resembled a forest - if she'd been high on henbane, anyway. The trees seemed to have a life of their own and swayed rhythmically to an unheard tune, and the usual dark colors of the woods were replaced with strikingly bright pastels. Other than the motion of the trees, Gabrielle couldn't see anything else with the semblance of living.

Gabrielle took a moment to gaze at her surroundings before remembering where she had been just moments before. Trembling, she looked at her hands and was happy to find the red that had stained them before was gone, and the blade she had been ready to plunge in her chest was also nowhere to be seen. Closing her eyes, she leaned further forward until her forehead rested on the cool ground. As much as she knew everything that had happened was only a dream, it still felt real. That anger and despair she had felt still resonated within, and it took several determined minutes to finally calm her mind.

Opening her eyes again and sitting back up, she noticed a slight difference in the way the trees moved. Whereas before she had only seen the movement of the thin, pinkish trunks, now she saw that the trees really did have a life of their own. The ground around them seemed to churn as the roots below swirled in the dirt, and the branches above twisted in ways and shapes she didn't imagine possible. They slithered, she realized with a sense of foreboding.

Cautiously getting to her feet she tried to plot a course through the trees that would give her the most room to maneuver. Looking around she realized that most of the forest was shrouded in a thick fog that obscured everything past the nearest couple trunks. Only in one narrow direction was it clear. With apprehension she decided, regardless of the fact that she was obviously being nudged in this direction, it was the only way out of here. Quietly sighing, she set off on the path.

After what felt like hours in the ethereal forest, Gabrielle finally emerged into a small clearing. A stream ran through the glade, and the short green grass felt welcoming against the nightmarish forest landscape. The bard's shoulders were finally able to relax once she left the cover of trees, and she sat down next to the clear water to consider her next move.

After a few moments respite, Gabrielle leaned towards the stream. Cupping her hands together to gather some water, she jumped back in revulsion when she noticed the stream was now a river of blood. She gagged when she further saw random body parts sticking out of the river, realizing it was fed by the blood of the corpses it held. Dry heaves began to rack her body at the sight.

Turning away from the gruesome stream, she was then overcome by another fearsome sight. The trees seemed to be encroaching on her secluded glade, and now there was no recognizable avenue of escape. All around her the trees continued their deadly dance, and the fog slowly crept closer.

Just when Gabrielle felt her panic reaching an overwhelming crescendo, a strong hand rested on her shoulder. Looking up, Gabrielle was startled to see the serene blue eyes of Eli. She stood warily, examining the man in disbelief. When he suddenly aimed a familiar serene, knowing smile at her, the feelings it provoked broke free and she began to sob.

"Everything's going to be okay, Gabrielle," he said in his familiar deep, soothing voice. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, and began to stroke her back lightly. Despite herself, Gabrielle felt comforted by the embrace. "If you have faith, nothing can hurt you."

The tears were flowing easily down her face now as she tightened her grip. His words had struck her in a way she hadn't been prepared for, and the truth she now realized caused an icy shiver to travel down her spine.

"I want to believe that," she choked out. "I used to have faith, but it's gone now."

"You may think that to be true, but I can see into your heart. I know better," Eli reassured the crying woman.

"You're just in my head," she quietly said out loud, more to remind herself than to pin that simple statement of fact upon him.

"I know why you believe that, but you should also know the power of god. I've been sent here to help you."

Gabrielle wiped at her eyes before pulling back to look at the man she had revered in life, unsure enough of her own thoughts to entertain his admission. After Eli's death she had felt tremendous guilt, not just for the things she'd done but more for the things she hadn't. As much as it had pained her to let him fulfill his destiny at Ares's hands, she couldn't call it a mistake. It was what he'd asked of her, and even if Xena's accusing words afterwards had mirrored her own guilty thoughts, she couldn't have gone against his wishes. No, what really bothered her was her total disregard for his teachings since then. She had fallen into an easy cycle of violence, and for the life of her she couldn't see a way out.

"I've done such horrible things," she suddenly told him, voicing her concerns. "I failed you. I've turned my back on you and what you stood for."

"That's not true, Gabrielle." Eli grabbed her hands and held onto them tightly. "You've just been put in terrible positions. You were always a believer, the one who understood the truth. Recent events don't change that. We were betrayed, but not by you."

"Betrayed?" she asked, suddenly confused. "What do you mean?"

"Xena has twisted god's word and used her gift for evil. That must have been confusing for you, but you have always been our avatar."

"That can't be true," Gabrielle argued, pulling her hands away vehemently and backing up a few steps. "She is Eve's mother. She was chosen by your god, he spoke to her at Eve's baptism."

"First of all, the only reason we chose her to carry Eve was because of what happened the last time you had a child. If Xena'd had the same reaction she did that time, Eve wouldn't have lived to fulfill her destiny."

Gabrielle flinched visibly and turned her back to Eli. Her eyes betrayed a deep unease, but as she made no move to get argue Eli continued.

"Besides, with her skills she was sure to protect Eve well. As much as we don't approve of her methods, we can't deny her skills as a warrior," Eli said. Then, stepping towards Gabrielle, he placed his hands on her shoulders. She continued to look away as he spoke. "We had hoped - expected, rather - that you would have a positive influence in Eve's upbringing."

"We didn't exactly plan to sleep for twenty-five years," Gabrielle said quietly.

"That was part of it, but Xena's interference was also a problem. There were places you could have gone to hide from the gods, you know that. All it would have required was for her to lay down her sword and agree to live a quiet life; one that you tried to talk her into," Eli pressed quietly but ardently. "By refusing to settle down or allow you to bond with the child, by forcing you onto a path of violence and putting you in the role of protector, she trapped you all in a vicious cycle. That is why you're here, it's not any failing on your part."

Gabrielle shook her head sadly as she contemplated his words. Finally she turned around and gazed coolly at the man in front of her.

"I don't believe that. Xena did what she had to do. If she was such a failure why was she given the power to kill gods?" she argued.

"Gabrielle, you know the difference between having the power to do something and the appropriateness of using said power. All people have the ability, the means to murder another human being, but that doesn't make it right. Sometimes denying power is the only choice."

Gabrielle couldn't help but agree with the overall assessment, but she still didn't think he was right about Xena. She hadn't had any other option - she had tried to reason with the gods, but it was no use. She hardened her gaze and stance.

"You should know better than anyone, Gabrielle. You learned that lesson firsthand with me. I asked you not to use violence to save my life, and it was the right thing to do. So ask yourself why god would want Xena to kill anyone, regardless of their intent or morals."

"That makes sense in a way," Gabrielle finally was able to say. She was determined not only to lift the blame from her friend, but also hopefully from herself as well. "But things were a little more complicated than that. You made a choice, Eve did not. You were fulfilling your destiny, but the gods made sure she never had a chance to find hers."

"You have heard the word of god. You know it doesn't include killing. Xena was given great responsibility, but that doesn't exempt her from god's will." Eli narrowed his eyes at the resolute woman before him, determined to make her see. "Xena may have understood her mission, but the point is she got it wrong. In doing so, she turned you from your true path. Now is the time for you to repent."

"Repent?" Gabrielle mumbled, taken aback. "I don't even? what do you expect me to do?"

"You have to stop her from twisting god's decree into the word of death."

"Stop her?" Gabrielle asked incredulously, not liking the direction this was going at all. "How? and why? would I do that? What's done is done."

"How is for you to decide. The why? that should be easy for you to understand. It's for the future of love, of mankind. God's word cannot be desecrated any further. It is humanity's last hope."

Gabrielle closed her eyes, disturbed by the fanaticism in Eli's expression. When she opened them again, she looked disbelievingly at the man she had once followed.

"It sounds like you're asking me to kill my best friend. Kill Xena for a god who supposedly doesn't believe in killing," she stated angrily. "How is that supposed to make sense?"

"You are already deeply scarred by your guilt; you believe your soul is lost already. Whether or not it's true, you have the opportunity to save so many other souls by this one act. Your sacrifice would be for the greater good."

Gabrielle shook her head vigorously, fighting back the urge to scream and cry all at once. None of this made any sense. Somehow according to this man the fate of mankind was being put upon her shoulders, and she was expected to do the one thing that she never could to save it. The longer she thought, the more she was sure that if she listened she would be damning humanity to a much worse fate though. This was not Eli, she knew it wasn't him. So why was she letting his words get to her so much?

Eli's right hand rested again on her shoulder while his left cupped her cheek, lifting her face to look at him. He met her grief-stricken gaze with clear eyes.

"Gabrielle, I know this seems unfair, but you've always had a generous spirit. You know right from wrong, and we're trusting you with the fate of mankind. I know you won't let us down."

With that, Eli disappeared, leaving a shaken and contemplative Gabrielle alone once more.

Chapter Fifteen: Merging of Worlds

"I miss her," Xena said quietly, turning her eyes away from Eve and staring into the distance. It was hard to believe that she was actually having this conversation right now, so close to where she and Ares had apparently made a new life. Nothing made sense anymore. This wasn't the life she wanted, not in a million years.

"Why?" the younger woman pressed.

"How can you even ask that?" Why would she even have to ask? Eve hadn't had the chance to get to know Gabrielle that well, not after twenty five lost years, but she should still have known what she meant to Xena. If there was one thing she expected from her daughter - and perhaps it was an unfair assumption to make just because Eve had been chosen before birth to be a representative of the god of Eli - she expected some recognition of the deep and profound love that she and Gabrielle had spent so much of their lives fighting for. Love like that couldn't be forgotten or pushed aside. That's why none of this made any damn sense.

"How could I not? You haven't spoken of her in months, or seemed like you thought about her in just as long. You purposefully destroyed everything that reminded you of her and worked hard to start a new life."

"With Ares?" Xena asked incredulously. "And how could you live with that?"

Gabrielle had been lost in the forest after Eli vanished. She had stood rooted to that spot for what seemed like an eternity before finally deciding to move off again. Once more the fog in the trees had opened a pathway for her and she took it, no longer careful. She had stormed carelessly through the trees, only barely registering the change in the scenery when it lost its unreal qualities and morphed into a standard Grecian landscape. Matching her growing anger with her increasing speed, she had only stopped when she heard voices in the distance. She was shocked when she caught sight of Xena and Eve, deep in conversation perhaps 20 yards away.

Gabrielle debated whether or not to run out to them immediately and throw her arms around her friend's waist, but a niggling voice in her head advised against it; quickly caution prevailed and, riveted, she did her best to blend with the nearby trees. Instead she tried hard to listen, just barely registering Ares and her own name among the faint words carrying along the breeze, before curiosity and a deep-seated need to be with Xena won out. Just as she was about to make her presence known to the women, she saw him.

At one time or another, she supposed, she was probably entranced by the sight of Ares - he was handsome and charming, she had to admit - but time and time again he had proven to be her adversary. Now the sight of him provoked an immediate loathing; she felt silly for ever having been susceptible to the charms of the self-centered, spiteful god of war, even more so for realizing it hadn't even been that long ago that she had fallen - for however short a time anyway - for his double talk. Gabrielle would have been perfectly happy to never see his face again, but wherever Xena went, he followed. It was a fact of life, just like the seasons.

Rather than be sympathetic to Ares, seeing as both he and she shared the curse of infatuation with a woman who didn't return their affection, Gabrielle took pleasure in his pain. It made her feel better somehow - like less of a failure, anyway - to see that not even a god could attain what she desperately desired. Except, she remembered darkly, Xena had admitted feeling something for him that time in Amphipolis. And even if Ares never got what he truly wanted, somehow he still managed to share a physical intimacy with the warrior that Gabrielle wished for herself. It was always part of Xena's plan, she mused ruefully. Someday she would have to come up with a plan that involved both she and Xena, half-naked and alone, rolling around between the sheets. However those plans would have to wait for later, she realized, snapping unhappily back to the present.

Right then, Xena turned to face the god, and Gabrielle expected some sort of violent reaction for Ares sneaking up on her like that. Instead she just stepped slightly to the side and stared off. Towards me, Gabrielle realized, staring into those beautiful blue eyes she saw every night in her sleep. Does she know I'm here? As much as she wanted to shout and run out to her friend, something held her back. Almost immediately, she recognized that was a smart move.

"Would you like to see your big sister, Lyceus? I think you do!"

Ares words froze Gabrielle in place, and she quickly saw what? or rather who? he was talking to. He stepped past Xena and held out a small baby, placing it in Eve's arms. Even from this distance Gabrielle could somehow recognize her love's eyes in the child.

Sister. Xena's child. With Ares, no less. Suddenly her throat constricted, tears sprung to her eyes without warning, leaving burning hot trails down her cheeks. She was having difficulty breathing, the building rage and despair acting as a vise around her chest. Gabrielle hunched forward as though she'd been kicked in the stomach, but to her mind that would have hurt far, far less.

She loves him. I should have known, I should have seen it. She did say she felt something; why couldn't I see that by always making him a part of her plans she was just subconsciously - or perhaps consciously - acting on her own desires. All those times when she had the opportunity to stop him for good, she never followed through. And I would always give him a smug smile of satisfaction, as though he never had a chance because she was mine. But she never really was, was she?

Now, it made sense.

Feeling like the ultimate outsider, as though her whole life had been a lie and she'd really been the third wheel in all of Xena and Ares's interactions, Gabrielle wiped tiredly at her face. She couldn't watch them together, watch all her dreams die with a final shuddering breath, and the last thing she wanted was to get caught spying on them. She needed to be alone. With a few deep breaths she forced herself to settle down. Blinking back the rest of her tears, Gabrielle straightened. With one last look at the woman she loved, she turned and headed back into the forest.

Xena's primal scream of rage at Morpheus went unheard by Gabrielle. Fighting the dream god's deception, the warrior had collapsed to the ground and blacked out. When next Xena opened her eyes, she found herself in another place entirely.

Every time in the dreamscape must be different, she noted, and absently wondered how each trial was chosen. The first time had been dark and haunting, then the last one was her ultimate nightmare, but so far this one seemed much more pleasing. It most resembled an overly bright summer day - the kind where you can't focus on any one thing too well for all the intense light. She reflexively squinted her eyes, trying to concentrate.

It took her several moments to clear her gaze and finally recognize where she had ended up. When she did notice, a small smile spread across her face. This was the place where Eve had been born.

Xena slowly got to her feet and began to examine the area, savoring her memories. There had been a struggle, and Hercules had suffered that day, having to kill his own father, but the only thing that Xena could remember were the first cries of her child as she was born. She remembered that first look at the beautiful baby, and how deeply smitten she was once she'd held the tiny infant in her arms. Many times in her life she thought she knew what true joy felt like, but that was a moment when she just knew it.

As she wandered around Xena began to feel slightly uncomfortable and it took her a few moments to remember why. It didn't make sense for her to be here - this place only had happy memories for her. Had something about dreamscapes changed over the years? Last time the past had attacked her - literally - trying to drag her back down into misery. This time, however, was the complete opposite. It was almost pleasant.

"So this is where it happened?"

Xena turned to face the speaker and found Eve standing a few paces back, staring at base of the tree where she had been born. Finishing her inspection she raised her eyes to meet her mother's, and they shared a happy moment in silence.

"It's hard for me to believe that was over twenty years ago," Xena said, sadness in her voice. "It seems like just yesterday to me."

"I wish I could remember what it was like. The time we did have together before we were separated," Eve clarified quietly, taking a seat on a nearby log. Xena moved to sit next to her daughter.

"We had some good times," Xena reminisced. "I remember that first night. I couldn't believe you were real. I sang you a lullaby to help you sleep, then I just watched you until the sun came up. I couldn't take my eyes off of you. I was afraid I'd wake up and it would just be a dream."

At that, Xena paused. That time hadn't been a dream, but this was. She took a deep breath and forced herself to disconnect from the visions of this place and person.

"Why am I here? Why are you?" Xena asked, looking thoughtfully at Eve.

"Because we're important to you, this place and I," Eve said casually. "You made a choice here."

"What are you talking about? What choice?" Xena asked.

"The moment I was born you made a conscious decision to put me above all else, everyone else," Eve emphasized. Her eyes narrowed at her mother thoughtfully. "You need to stop what you're doing, give up on this fool's mission. Morpheus knows what you're doing. If you turn back now, honor the choice you made, he'll leave you and your daughter alone."

"And if I don't?" Xena asked casually, not even considering the demand but curious nonetheless.

"Then you will lose everything. Morpheus knows all that you know. Right now his soldiers are heading towards Aphrodite's temple. When they get there they will kill Eve. You'll lose your power against him."

"What about Gabrielle?" Xena said, her voice betraying her emotions and catching in her throat.

"Forget about her. She's served her purpose, she made you the person you are today. Consider the lifetime you'll have with your daughter as her final gift to you."

"I can't forget her. I won't," Xena said meaningfully, hoping to convey the words not just to the specter of her daughter but also to Morpheus, wherever he may be.

"Someone must be held accountable for the death of the Olympians."

"She did nothing to deserve this!" Xena exclaimed angrily.

"That's not completely true. It was her time with Eli that led you to your current path. Gods know you were never one for religion," Eve said, laughing at the irony. "How fitting that your daughter is the messenger of peace when it's something you'll never allow for yourself or those you love."

Xena jumped to her feet, trembling. She was torn; she wanted to attack the person sitting before her, knowing it was all just in her head, but seeing her daughter's face made it impossible. Instead she held her hands at her side, seething.

"Gabrielle is a good person, the best I know. To hold her responsible for the things I've done? I won't let that happen."

"Morpheus isn't going to take you on, understandably. So it's either her or your daughter. Your choice," Eve said innocently. "Although I believe it's one you've already made."

"I won't choose between them."

"Then Morpheus will win, one way or another. You can't protect them both." Eve got to her feet and chillingly looked her mother in the eyes. The coldness in the expression caused an unconscious shiver to run down Xena's back. "Besides, not everyone finds Gabrielle as innocent as you do. Not even the woman in question."

Xena's eyes softened as she reflected sadly on that statement. Did Gabrielle blame herself for what happened? As much as she didn't want to believe it, she knew that her friend also carried a world of self-inflicted guilt upon her shoulders, even for things she couldn't help. The sadness in her eyes, the weariness in her shoulders - they were all signs she had began to recognize as the years passed. That was something they had grown to have in common, she thought bitterly. That was something she'd have to fix when she had the chance.

"You made this choice before, make it again. Let her go," Eve said softly, now circling her mother. She smiled in satisfaction at the warrior's defeated posture, not understanding that the spiraling thought process that brought it on had nothing to do with the threats being tossed her way. "You made this decision long before your daughter was born, though that certainly sealed the deal. Just move on. Enjoy the future you can and should have with Eve."

Xena was quiet for a minute, digesting her daughter's words. Finally she straightened her shoulders and faced this imposter.

"I've got a deal for you, Morpheus. If either Gabrielle or Eve gets hurt, I'll track you down and kill you like the scum you are, no matter what it takes. Leave them alone and I'll consider going easy on you."

The figure of her daughter suddenly changed shape. Her eyes became dark black pools and the face contorted into the angry visage of the god of dreams.

"You've just signed their death warrants, warrior," he bellowed in a deep, gravelly voice. Then he began to laugh maniacally.

After a few seconds the figure vanished, and immediately the landscape began to distort, changing into a darker, nightmarish version of before. The sky turned a dark red, the trees seemed to pulse with an evil energy, and the landscape turned a deathly ash gray.

"That's more like it," Xena said. Then turning her eyes towards the sky, hoping her voice would carry to the god himself, she made a promise. "You and me, we're gonna settle this real soon."

Chapter Sixteen: Confrontation

Gabrielle had started running after she'd seen the vision of Xena's happy family, and she didn't stop running until the cramping muscles in her legs screamed out for a break. With all the images and thoughts racing through her mind, she'd hardly been aware of the motions of her feet, let alone where she was going. Once she stopped, though, she realized the change in the scenery.

A loud, blustery howl of wind assailed her from behind, causing her to gasp out loud. It wasn't until that moment that she became aware of the extreme chill in the air, and she noticed with some trepidation that both her hands and feet were already numbed. Holding her unfeeling hand in front of her, she detected the slight blue tinge of her fingernails, and she also was made painfully aware of the violent shakes that racked her. Fighting to control her rapidly weakening body, she futilely wrapped her arms around her midsection.

Looking with interest at the snow collecting around her feet, Gabrielle raised her eyes to the sky. As she did she recognized the mountain formation in the distance and shuddered, finally realizing where she was - she and Xena had died here. As she stared off blankly - remembering the pain of the crucifixion, the nails in her hands and feet, the painful gasps for air that became more and more difficult until finally her body could take no more - she became aware of the sound of labored breathing behind her.

Turning, she cried out in astonishment as she found herself at the base of two crosses. One was empty, but the other held the bloodied, broken body of Xena for all the world to see.

"Xena?" Gabrielle choked out. "Oh gods?"

The figure on the cross was motionless for several moments before finally the warrior's eyelids fluttered to life. It took a few more moments for Xena's glazed orbs to focus on the heartbroken woman below.

"Gabrielle?" Her voice was so weak that Gabrielle could barely hear her. Tearlessly sobbing, the bard could only nod. "You're okay? thank the gods."

"Xena?"

"Gabrielle, you've got to help me. Get me down?" Xena sputtered. She was interrupted by a coughing fit, and Gabrielle noted miserably the icy line of blood that trailed from the corner of Xena's mouth.

Gabrielle looked around for something to use to free her friend, but for as far as the eye could see there was only snow and nothing else. Sighing angrily, she clenched her hands in exasperation before yelping in pain. When she looked down at her palms she was able to see through them to the frozen ground below. The large holes oozed thick, congealing blood all down her forearms. Trembling, she looked up at Xena.

"Xena, I can't? there's nothing I can do here." She looked around one more time, hopeful for anything that could help, but still there was nothing. When she raised her eyes to meet Xena's, the warrior stared back angrily.

"Figures. I guess I'll have to take care of this myself? as usual."

Gabrielle blinked rapidly, taken aback.

"This is all in my head," Gabrielle started to tell herself out loud, teeth chattering. "This is just a dream."

"I'll take comfort from that thought as I die here, painfully," Xena snarled. She tried to wriggle herself free on the cross, only managing to open the wounds in her hands further. She grimaced as blood began to drip from the wounds down to soak the pristine snow below. "At least I'll have you to bother me; maybe that will take my mind off things."

"Xena, if there was something I could do, I would. You know I love you," Gabrielle pleaded, even knowing this vision wasn't real and it made no sense to argue.

"Not that again. It was embarrassing enough the first time; now it's just old," Xena said, rolling her eyes. "You got any good stories to tell, preferably with a good fight scene?"

"I embarrass you?" Gabrielle asked, ignoring Xena's request. "But you said? I thought you?"

"Gabrielle, we were being crucified. I didn't think it was the right time to tell you to get over it," Xena said, watching the snowflakes as they drifted by her head. Distractedly she leaned forward a little to try to catch a flake on her tongue. "Besides, I figured once we were dead we wouldn't have to have that damn conversation again. Just my luck, thought? I can't die fast enough for you to stop talking."

Hot tears began to gather in Gabrielle's eyes and she quickly wiped them away before they could fall.

"Didn't you ever feel that way? It wasn't my imagination?" she insisted.

"You were a decent enough roll in the sack, but we were just friends. I was emotional, you were emotional, it happened. That was years ago, get over it already," Xena said in annoyance.

"Then why did you bother coming back for me? Why didn't you just leave?"

"Truthfully I've tried. Najara, Eli? you always managed to get in trouble, though, and I end up right back where I started."

"How long have you felt that way?" Gabrielle asked solemnly. Even knowing it was a dream, she felt that this was the most honest conversation she'd had with her friend in a long while.

Xena sighed, wishing the conversation would end.

"A long time, maybe always," she answered.

"Always, huh? Is that why you brought me back to life when we were in that temple in Thessaly? Is that why you single-handedly fought off the entire Persian army and still took the time to nurse me back to health? Is that why, when we both died, you went to hell to rescue me?" Gabrielle was livid now, angry at this apparition that wanted to ruin her memories and friendship with Xena. Even if she never returned the exact nature of Gabrielle's feelings, the bard was sure that she was loved.

"I guess I felt a sense of obligation. You did leave your family for me. I didn't want to be responsible for you getting hurt if I could help it."

"Obligation," Gabrielle repeated quietly.

"That's it," Xena stated flatly.

"I don't believe you."

"Let me guess, you think I loved you or something mushy like that?" Xena mocked. "After some of the stuff you pulled, how could I possibly love you? How about your jealousy issues? You almost got me killed after you heard about Lao Ma. Gods, sleep with you one time and you think you own me."

Gabrielle let the words wash over her and she considered their meaning for several moments. Then her body relaxed and she raised her reflective eyes to her friend's.

"You're half right. I expected something from you that I shouldn't have. But I know you still cared for me. You'll never convince me otherwise."

The look on Xena's face changed from one of disdain to one of confusion. She continued to stare wild-eyed at the blond woman below her.

"I'm sorry Xena," Gabrielle told the dying woman, and suddenly the whole scene shifted before Gabrielle's eyes. Abruptly she felt a warmth throughout her body, and she realized she was at Joxer and Meg's tavern.

Gabrielle looked around wistfully, recognizing all the small details her friend had put into the monument to Xena and herself. Even after so much time had passed, Joxer had remained a good friend. So many of their old things were displayed on the walls or hung from the rafters. Vaguely she wondered how he had gotten so many of their old things - she didn't remember having anywhere near that much stuff, Argo would have balked at being expected to carry so much - but she pushed that thought to the back of her mind.

As she wandered aimlessly, taking in all the minutiae, she found herself stopping in front of the shelves where her scrolls were stored. Some of the stories were so old now Gabrielle felt as though a different person had lived them. She had a hard time identifying with the na�ve farm girl who had left Potedaia, and sometimes when she remembered the things she had done back then she cringed. Embarrassing didn't begin to cover it, she thought.

As she scanned the titles, the memories they provoked but dim shadows now, she realized that the one good thing that girl had done was leave herself out of the stories as much as possible. At least that way her mistakes weren't preserved for eternity, and besides, she'd always been fascinated and amazed at the things that Xena could do. At least she'd had the common sense to realize that people would much rather hear about the warrior princess's adventures instead of the stupid kid who tangled the hero's horses reins in a bush.

Perusing the shelves, Gabrielle was surprised - and not necessarily in a good way, but in a way that made her heart beat twice as fast and her throat feel dry - to find some poetry she'd written that wasn't about Xena's adventures. Or, as far as anyone other than Gabrielle knew, about the warrior at all. She was sure she had destroyed these a long time ago, and she wondered how in the world Joxer could possibly have managed to get a hold of them. She pulled several texts from the shelf and carried them over to a table, her heart trying to pound its way out of her chest at the terrifying discovery.

Taking a seat, Gabrielle grabbed a random scroll and opened it, scanning the familiar lines. Her cheeks burned a little at the thought of someone else reading these words - she had written them at a major turning point in her life, and they were extremely personal to her for that reason. Especially now, with the wisdom hindsight brings, she found the prose embarrassing for the raw emotion it displayed.

When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The waking up is the hardest part
You roll out of bed and down on your knees
And for the moment you can hardly breathe
Wondering was she really here?
Is she standing in my room?
No she's not, 'cause she's gone, gone, gone, gone, gone....
When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The giving up is the hardest part
She takes you in with her crying eyes
Then all at once you have to say goodbye
Wondering could you stay my love?
Will you wake up by my side?
No she can't, 'cause she's gone, gone, gone, gone, gone....
Now do I have to fall asleep with roses in my hands
Do I have to fall asleep with roses in my hands?
Would you get them if I did?
No you won't, 'cause you're gone, gone, gone, gone, gone....
When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The waking up is the hardest part

That one had been written on the lonely trip back from Mt. Nestos with Xena's coffin. At the time she didn't think she'd ever see her friend again and the words she'd wanted to tell Xena needed to be expressed, one way or another. Even all these years later, the words still resonated within Gabrielle, and, fighting the surge of emotion inside her, she reached for another scroll.

I cannot help it, I couldn't stop it if I tried
The same old heartbeat fills the emptiness I have inside
And I've heard that you can't fight love, so I won't complain
'Cause why would I stop the fire that keeps me going on?
'Cause when there's you, I feel whole
And there's no better feeling in the world
But without you I'm alone
And I'd rather be in love with you
Turn out the lights now
To see is to believe
I just want you near me
I just want you here with me
And I'd give up everything only for you
It's the least that I could do
'Cause when there's you, I feel whole
And there's no better feeling in the world
But without you I'm alone
And I'd rather be in love with you
And I feel you holding me
Why are we afraid to be in love?
To be loved
I can't explain it
I know it's tough to be loved
And I feel you holding me
And when there's you, I feel whole
And there's no better feeling in the world
But without you I'm alone

That one had been written just before their trip to Ithaca. Up until that point she had thought, foolishly perhaps, that she and Xena might have a chance. In the back of her mind she always knew that something had changed after the ordeal with Callisto and Velasca, but not knowing what it was she still clung stubbornly to hope. After Xena's tryst with Ulysses, however, she began to take a different view. If Xena really felt something for him, then perhaps Gabrielle had been mistaken. Whatever importance she had placed on their night together, seeing it as an affirmation of something deeper, was obviously wishful thinking on her part. Xena was a physical person, she had needs, and whatever it was that she and Gabrielle had shared, any emotional significance was decidedly one-sided.

Gabrielle rolled the scroll up quickly, wanting to remove the words from her sight as fast as possible. She hated herself for thinking and feeling the way she did, back then and especially now. What had she really expected to happen? Her head had been filled with notions of romance and true love - curse of the bard, she supposed - but now, it just seemed pathetic. Why couldn't she have just been happy with Xena's friendship?

As she tossed the last scroll on the table she recognized one more in the pile. It had been written very early on in her travels with Xena, just after she began to realize the depth of her feelings. This one she was sure had been destroyed - she'd put it in the fire herself and watched it burn - but fingering the frayed edge and noting the ink splotch in the corner, she knew immediately what it was. Picking it up carefully she unfolded it and read the words it contained.

Quiet hour
You have always been my wildflower
Showing up wherever beauty's lost its way
Your heart must break
I was free
Until I heard the song you sang me to me
Pulling me away from everything I knew
To be with you
And everything I know just fades away
And every time you go it hurts me so
I don't know why when I know we're free
Free to fly
Here we are
Burning faster than the cursed star
Falling back down to the Earth
I love you so it sometimes hurts
Closer still
You will find me standing on the hill
Waiting for you with my arms stretched open wide
Now, come inside
And everything I know just fades away
And every time you go it hurts me so
I don't know why when I know we're free
Free to fly
And everything I know just fades away
And where the wildflower grows it picks its space
And that's the way it is when nature plays its lovely hand
We'll understand everything
Everything, everything

She felt the hot, stinging tears in her eyes now and didn't care. She had been doomed from the beginning - the very first time she'd laid eyes on Xena, that was it. She wasn't angry anymore at the person who had written this, just profoundly sad. Sad because that girl couldn't know how things would turn out, but even if she had, she would have made the same decision. There wasn't a question in Gabrielle's mind - wherever Xena went, she would follow. Even now.

While she would never regret going after Xena, she still found certain actions along the way to be remorseful about. Gabrielle recognized her own tendency at righteousness, even if she couldn't admit it at times. All through her life she hated being told what to do - she figured she knew what was best for herself. As a child she believed her father to be wrong about pretty much everything, and she didn't mind telling him so. She assumed the reason he'd get so angry and resort to violence with her was because he envied her intelligence. That had only been the first relationship in which she'd made that mistake.

Poor Perdicas had also been subjected to this behavior. She realized early on how sweet and simple he was, and especially how much he adored her. She knew she didn't feel the same way about him, but rather than be honest and let him move on, she used that to her advantage. She loved the attention - she did plan to be a bard, after all - so the thought of having her own fan club was enticing.

Most of the kids in town had shunned her and her crazy, headstrong ways. She didn't think she was necessarily a bad kid - far from it - she was just headstrong. And impulsive, for sure. Like the time she'd stolen some corn from a neighbor. She didn't even care for the vegetable, but it was the principle of it all. The old man had been dismissive of her bardly aspirations, telling her to focus on becoming a good housewife because that's all she could ever be, so she had wanted to make a point. Perdicas had followed her along on that silly quest and taken the blame when they were caught. He knew about her father's temper and wanted to shield her from punishment. It had been a kind, if futile, gesture.

Perdicas had been the only friend growing up who knew about her father's rages. After each incident Perdicas would storm back and forth angrily, promising that when he was bigger and stronger he would put a stop to it, take her away from it all. Gabrielle had always been silently thankful, but afterwards she would pick on him for his eagerness like he was a puppy. She didn't need a man to take care of her, she'd tell him. She could do that herself.

And then, all those years later when she left him to follow Xena, she knew how painful that had to be for him. She'd encouraged his affections if only for his companionship, but for him it had been the real thing. He had been so happy when he told her of the deal his parents had made with hers for their betrothal, and he'd immediately started a countdown to the day they were to be wed. Then for her to leave him so suddenly and without word, it had to be heartbreaking.

Gabrielle knew that her younger sister had always had a thing for Perdicas, and she hoped one day to hear that he and Lila would find happiness together. They were much better suited for each other anyway - both kind, caring and content with the kind of life Potedaia could offer. Unlike Gabrielle, who desperately wanted out, needing to find adventure and meaning in life.

That wasn't something about herself that she could have changed, even if she'd wanted to. She wondered sometimes how she had been born to that family and grown up in that place - everything they taught and valued seemed so wrong to her sensibility. Nevertheless, her self-knowledge didn't assuage Gabrielle's guilt when it came to Perdicas. She'd treated him poorly in life, and led him to a death he didn't deserve. He was a good man; he deserved better.

Now, much later, she was able to empathize with him in a way she couldn't quite grasp back then. To know the feeling that you weren't wanted or good enough for the person you love - these were things she understood much better now. That's why he had left home to try to become something he was not, something he thought she wanted. So before he lost his life trying to protect her, he had also lost a part of his soul for her.

What a bitch I am, she thought wryly. She had been told that before - not about Perdicas, it was Joxer that time - but the words rang true regardless. That was just how she dealt with anyone who cared about her. Yes, she cared for people, she wanted to be friendly and helpful, but her behavior proved that she was far from perfect. If she loved someone they were the center of the universe; if they cared for her but she didn't feel the same way, well, that was another story entirely.

This was one of many areas where she could have learned a lesson from Xena. Sure, the warrior could string people along if necessary. It was always part of some plan for her, about the greater good. Otherwise, Xena was very up front about her feelings. If she didn't care for someone, she let them know it. Sometimes it didn't work - Ares sprang to mind immediately - but at least she was honest. That was more than Gabrielle could say.

She didn't have anything to show for it all either, she realized. She had married Perdicas out of pity and a sense of obligation, recognizing him as a friend who needed her help. That was the one thing he had going for him that Xena did not - he needed her, and Gabrielle couldn't pass up the feelings, the importance that it stirred inside her. So she had gone off to marry her childhood friend, getting him killed in the process. Then there was Joxer. She let him follow her around like a puppy dog - she would act sweet when she wanted something, and he was only too happy to oblige. Years later, trying to help her out, he would also get himself killed. It was a pattern.

Except for Xena. The one person she loved absolutely, that she wanted above all others, was the one person who didn't seem interested in her that way. But the friendship was too important to Gabrielle to give up. If she had to follow Xena a million miles with no promise of anything beyond their close camaraderie, she would do it with no questions asked. In fact, she had.

But things were different now. Xena had a daughter, a family that came first in her life. And Gabrielle knew how much missing Eve's formative years had hurt the warrior. She'd missed it with Solan and again with her daughter. It was only fair to give her the space she needed - and probably desperately wanted - to try to make amends. If she wants to focus on her family, I can't stand in the way of that.

Finally coming out of her thoughts, Gabrielle took one last look at the scrolls before gathering them up and crossing the room to toss them in the fireplace. She watched as the parchment blackened and curled up, eventually turning to ashes. It was both fitting and satisfying to watch the cursed words disappear from the face of the earth.

Gabrielle stared into the flames for many minutes thereafter, feeling no great need to move on. As far as she was concerned, there was nothing to continue for, her fight was over. There was nothing to look forward to - if Morpheus wanted her trapped her in her dreams and memories, she couldn't find any reason to disagree. It was all she had left anyway.

"I give up Morpheus. You win," she said quietly. She closed her eyes, not sure what she expected to happen after speaking the words. She had assumed he would be listening, but what he ultimately wanted she didn't know. She was just too tired to fight it anymore. As she waited for a sign, a warm hand came to rest on her shoulder.

"Gabrielle," drawled the familiar voice. "Gabrielle, it's me."

Opening her eyes, the bard turned slowly around and looked distrustfully into those beautiful blue eyes she'd lost herself in so many times before. Her own hardened green eyes narrowed in response.

"Why are you still taunting me? Can't you be honest and show your real face now? I'm through, you win!" Gabrielle said, throwing the hand off her shoulder and stepping away. "I'm done with these games?"

Xena's face registered her confusion and distress. The angry woman before her was barely recognizable for the coldness she radiated.

"Gabrielle, I'm here to help. I don't want to play any games either," Xena said softly.

"Right. Then why don't you tell me what all this has been about? I'm too tired to think about it anymore. What do I have to say or do to end this?" Gabrielle's voice rose as she spoke. Xena noted the rage building in her friend and decided to give her the space she needed. The compassionate look on Xena's face disappeared, replaced by one of determined professionalism.

"Fine, let's get out of here then. That's what you want, you got it." Xena fixed her friend with a steely gaze.

Gabrielle's eyes flashed briefly before she sighed and gave a curt nod of her head. She was relieved at the prospect of finally getting out of this dreamscape, even if it did mean turning herself over to a crazed god. Maybe by surrendering and letting things take their proper course she could find some peace.

With a final concerned look, Xena turned her back on her friend and headed out the tavern door, assuming Gabrielle would be right behind her. The bard hesitated, however, taking one last look around. This was probably the last she'd ever see of this chapter of her life. It was decided - she was giving all this up. Her dream for the future was gone, no more real to her than this dream world, and replaced by a grim reality.

"Now's your chance."

Gabrielle jumped at the voice behind her and turned around suddenly. Warming his hands by the fire stood Ares, God of War.

"Now what?" Gabrielle asked incredulously. "What do you want?"

"You say you're ready to move on, give up on your pipe dream of a future with Xena," he said, turning away from the flames to face Gabrielle. "Now you just have to put your words into practice. The way out of this dreamscape is standing right outside that door, waiting for you."

"What do you mean?" she asked tiredly.

"You took a mental leap, but you have to do it symbolically now. Seal the deal, in a way." As Ares spoke he held his hand out and, in a bright flash of blue light, produced a sai. Offering the weapon to the bard, he smiled at her hesitation.

"You want me to?" she said, unable to complete the sentence.

"Kill her," Ares finished for her. "Put a blade in the heart of your obsession, figuratively speaking. Or literal, in the case of the dreamscape."

Gabrielle tentatively reached out and took the weapon into her hand. Testing it, she skillfully twirled the blade in a dangerous arc. The weight of the weapon and the smooth texture of the cold metal brought an easy familiarity.

"You're not the little girl you used to be," Ares said with relish. "You're familiar with the taste of blood and death now, and I like it! Now go out there and prove how strong you really are."

Gabrielle paused and looked searchingly in Ares's eyes. Something about this didn't feel right. It was familiar somehow. Searching her mind, she caught hold of a fleeting memory and it suddenly made sense. She smiled back at the handsome man before her.

"You're right," she mused, turning her studious gaze to the weapon in her hand. She was dimly aware of the sound of a door opening behind her. "I'm not the girl I used to be. But I still won't fall for your tricks, Morpheus."

The man's eyes opened wide as Gabrielle ruthlessly struck out, embedding the blade deep in his chest. He looked down in surprise, then angrily raised his chin to face the woman.

"You've just made a huge mistake," he told her, his voice suddenly much deeper than Ares ever was. Suddenly he let loose an ear-splitting roar and the room began to shake. His eyes began to glow brightly and his skin darkened to a deep red. Just before he exploded into a ball of fire, Gabrielle was grabbed from behind and pulled behind a counter. Gabrielle looked at Xena as the tavern burst into flames.

Xena looked wildly around the room for a safe way out. Flames were everywhere and the heat was becoming unbearable. Their options were limited and running out fast.

The warrior looked at her friend, briefly noticing her surprised gaze, before indicating the door a few yards away with a tilt of her head. Xena grabbed Gabrielle's hand and stood, pulling the young woman up with her.

"Let's go Gabrielle!" she shouted and immediately took off running. She was aware of the fire licking at her exposed skin but she concentrated on keeping Gabrielle's fingers in her hand. She had to get them both out of here, pain be damned.

Quickly bursting through the heavy door the two women separated and began to suck in the cool, smoke-free air. Xena turned her head slightly and caught sight of Gabrielle, hands on her knees and hunched over, gasping loudly. Soon, both women regained their breath and Gabrielle looked at her quizzically.

"Xena?" she said quietly. "Is that really you?"

"Yeah, it's me." Xena wished for some way to convey the truth of her words and had to settle for a small smile. "I was a little slow before, but I should have realized you wouldn't know."

"Why should I trust you?" Gabrielle asked, then suddenly remembered something from their first time in the dreamscape. "You've got to tell me something I don't already know about you."

Xena considered what to say for a moment, silently impressed that Gabrielle remembered this detail from so long ago. It only made sense, though, seeing as she was the bard. Xena smiled lopsidedly at her friend.

"When I was a kid I had a stuffed dragon - I called him Atty - and I used to take him with me everywhere. One day Toris stole it, ripped it up, and left the head on my pillow. The next time I saw him with his friends, I kicked his ass."

Gabrielle actually laughed out loud at that.

"I bet you did," she said with a grin. "That definitely sounds like you."

"Your turn," Xena said, suddenly turning serious and locking eyes with the bard.

Gabrielle was thoughtful for a minute before she decided on a story.

"This one day in school they were teaching us 'the art of gardening' or something boring like that, and I'd gotten in enough trouble for talking all through the lesson on basket-weaving that I decided to skip class," she said wistfully, lost in the memory. "So I went to the tavern to hear this new poet, and? well, that's the first time I drank ale. I got so drunk I went back to school that afternoon and threw up on the teacher's desk."

Gabrielle chuckled a little at the recollection until she remembered her father's reaction. He had come home early from work specifically to dole out her punishment for such a 'heinous' offense. She didn't skip a day of school after that, not counting the days she physically couldn't make it due to her father's retributions. Xena didn't miss the darkening expression on her friend's face, though she could only guess at the reasons.

"I guess we're both real, then," Xena said, breaking the uneasy silence that had fallen between the friends. "Now we need to find a way out of here."

"Good luck," Gabrielle said skeptically. "I don't even know how long I've been here, but I am clueless about how to leave."

For the first time, Xena carefully studied her friend's countenance and took note of the exhaustion and defeat evident there.

"Are you okay?" she asked, full of concern. "What have they done to you?"

Xena reached out to put a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder but Gabrielle jumped back, subconsciously avoiding the touch. Xena noticed the evasion and dropped her hand to her side, upset.

"Nothing, I'm fine," Gabrielle answered mechanically, unable to hide the fatigue in her voice. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing each shoulder in an effort to wake herself. She kept her eyes closed as she spoke again, unable to meet her friend's gaze. "So what's your plan?"

With a final look at Gabrielle, Xena looked around, taking stock of their situation. They were no longer outside Joxer's tavern, but rather in a dark cave with several tunnels leading off in each direction.

"Last time there was a door," Xena said thoughtfully. "We need to find it first, then we can decide what's next."

Spinning in place, she studied each tunnel entrance, trying to discern any differences between them. Unfortunately luck wasn't on her side - they all looked exactly the same.

"Easier said than done," Xena murmured under her breath.

Gabrielle opened her eyes and, seeing the situation they were in, sighed. Looking at each tunnel for a minute, her sight finally rested on the one directly to her right. She walked towards it, stopping in the entryway. Her hand casually traced the rock wall.

"I think we should go this way," she finally said.

Xena looked over at her friend and then studied the tunnel entrance quizzically. Finding nothing to differentiate that tunnel from any of the others, she turned her attention back to Gabrielle.

"Why?"

"I don't know, there's something?" Gabrielle trailed off thoughtfully, trying to find the words to explain. "It's like I can hear something, but I can't."

Gabrielle tried hard to focus on the faint sounds, but she found the more she tried, the more distant they were. Frustrated, she sighed loudly, letting her head fall forward to rest on the cold rock wall.

"I don't hear anything," Xena said after a few moments, her acute hearing not picking up a single noise. She looked sideways at her troubled friend, wondering if she was hearing things or if Morpheus was still playing tricks on her. Still, it was the only lead they had. She moved closer and gently placed her hand on the bard's shoulder.

"I trust you, Gabrielle. Let's just be careful."

Gabrielle looked up and met Xena's gaze. Seeing the faith her friend placed in her gave the young woman strength. She nodded once and, steeling herself, began to lead the warrior down the tunnel. Soon they were surrounded by darkness, not even the light from the cave behind reaching them. The only comfort Gabrielle had as she moved through the passageway was the soft sound of Xena's breathing behind her. She smiled sadly to herself in the dark.

Neither of the women could tell how long or how far they'd continued to walk in the darkness. Silence had settled on them both like a heavy blanket, neither daring to speak and disturb the uneasy journey they shared. Unbeknownst to each other, both women had the same thoughts running through their minds - memories of time spent together, and concern of what was on the other's mind. The quiet spoke volumes to each woman, both confirming and intensifying the fear in their hearts.

Finally after what seemed like hours, a small point of light could be seen in the distance. As they moved it slowly grew closer and larger until they finally found themselves in a well-lit, familiar setting.

"This is where Eli brought us back?" Gabrielle began, trailing off. She let the thought drop as both women knew and could remember that day as if it were only hours ago. Xena looked around expectantly.

"We must be here for a reason," the warrior said slowly, scanning the room intently. She turned in place and noted that the tunnel that had brought them here was gone, replaced by a solid stone wall. As she continued her examination she finally saw the only exit on the far side of the room. "That has to be the way out."

"I don't remember it sounding so easy for you last time," Gabrielle mentioned. With a small shrug she moved across the room. She reached for the door handle, intent on finally leaving this nightmare world, but as soon as her fingers touched the exit she cried out in pain. Pulling a trembling hand back, Gabrielle examined the blood dripping from the reopened crucifixion wound on her palm. "Bad idea," she hissed painfully.

Xena was immediately at her side, tenderly holding Gabrielle's wrist and looking at the damage. She shivered at the sight of the wound and the memories it brought back. Glancing up at Gabrielle's face, Xena realized that despite the obvious pain, the discomfort caused by her proximity was much more intense for her friend. With that sad realization, the warrior released her hold on Gabrielle's wrist and, in order to hide the sadness in her own eyes, went to inspect the door.

"We were brought here for a reason," Xena stated thoughtfully. "Something happened here, something we need to confront."

"What are we supposed to do? We died, and then Eli brought us back," Gabrielle said, her patience running thin. "That's pretty much it. Unless Eli shows up, there's not a whole lot for us to confront."

Xena turned and gazed at her friend, deep in thought. Watching the young woman begin to pace distractedly, an idea began to form in her mind.

"There has to be more," the warrior said, not taking her eyes off the bard. "Last time I had to confront my dark side; there was no confusion. This time it's more subtle, but it has to be here. This is the only way out, and we are the only ones here."

Finally noticing Xena's pensive gaze, Gabrielle stopped in her tracks and looked at her friend. She scrunched her shoulders up after a moment and shook her head.

"Maybe this is Morpheus's way of saying we should have stayed dead," Gabrielle said humorlessly before turning her attention back to her injured hand.

"Gabrielle? something's not right with us anymore. What happened?" Xena suddenly asked.

Gabrielle raised her eyes in surprise to meet Xena's deep blues. She was taken aback by the emotions she saw there. Finally, overwhelmed, Gabrielle lowered her gaze again and shrugged.

"I don't know. Things are just different now," she said.

"You can hardly look at me, you look ready to run at the slightest touch? I know things are different, but how did we get here?" Xena asked dejectedly. "Please, look at me."

Reluctantly Gabrielle looked up at Xena's pleading face. Xena in return saw a mixture of fear and anger in the green eyes staring at her.

"Happy?" Gabrielle asked flatly.

Xena was stung by the obvious hostility and couldn't mask the emotion in her response.

"No. I miss how things used to be between us. I? we can't go on like this," Xena said quietly.

Gabrielle appeared to consider Xena's words carefully.

"No, we can't," she said softly. Unable to keep up the eye contact, Gabrielle turned around and stared listlessly towards the wall. "What can we do? Where do we go from here?"

"I don't know yet, but something must have happened here. If we can figure it out we'll know what to do next."

Xena, sensing her intensity was causing Gabrielle discomfort, resisted her impulse to take the young woman in her arms and instead went to sit on the stone dais where she and Gabrielle had been resurrected so long ago. Closing her eyes, Xena ran her fingers along the length of the smooth rock.

"Do you remember that day?" the warrior asked suddenly.

Gabrielle turned to watch her friend, quietly lost in thought. After a moment she walked over to the dais and gazed thoughtfully at the stone, reliving her memories. Her eyes creased slightly in profound sadness.

"How could I forget?" Gabrielle finally responded.

"What do you remember?"

"The? pain of that first breath. It was like inhaling a thousand tiny blades, leaving a sharp, burning trail all though my throat and settling here." As she spoke, Gabrielle balled up her hand and rested it on her chest. "After that, it was so cold? I didn't think I would ever feel warm again. And I was so confused, and I felt alone? until I saw you."

As Gabrielle had spoke of being brought back to life, Xena had nodded along in remembrance, the sensations easily summoned from memory. However, as soon as she heard the bard's final words Xena stopped all movement and opened her eyes. She was caught in the intense gaze Gabrielle had fixated upon her. They carried on a silent communication while both women remained still, lost in each other's eyes. After a moment, Gabrielle shook her head sadly and turned away.

"Gabrielle, what is it?" Xena asked softly, noting the tension in the bard and, without thinking, reaching out to touch her. The young woman shivered at the feeling of Xena's soft fingertips on her back before turning to face her friend again. Gabrielle searched the warrior's eyes questioningly, trying to decide how much honesty she could handle right now. With an almost inaudible sigh, the bard finally decided not to hold anything back.

"When we were on the other side, I got the impression? I don't know," Gabrielle stammered. "You were saying all the things I always wanted to hear. Then when we came back, I thought? I hoped maybe things had changed."

Gabrielle closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around herself, needing to work up the courage to continue. For her part, Xena gave the woman time to collect her thoughts, all the while reflecting on her own memories of that time. She remembered everything she had said to Gabrielle when they were on the other side, and she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt the truth behind the words. Not even heaven or hell would keep them apart - she wouldn't let it.

"I was just being stupid," Gabrielle finally commented. "It's like you're always there with me, but? there's a distance between us I can't cross, no matter how hard I try. But I know I'm the one who put it there, it's my fault. It took a long time for me to realize that. Once I did, I? I finally gave up."

"Gabrielle?" Xena started.

"No, don't? just don't," Gabrielle interrupted, extending a cautionary hand. "It's not your fault. You shouldn't have to regret how you feel just because I feel? different. I just? after that time at the Amazon village, when I thought I lost you? I never understood why things happened the way they did after you came back. I thought that I had done something, but maybe, given time, we could get back to the way things were. If I just? I don't know, if I waited long enough, if I could be better, just? be more?"

"Gabrielle," Xena interrupted, her voice cracking. Didn't the girl know that, in Xena's eyes, she was perfect exactly as she was? How could she think she needed to change? But then how could she know with the way you've treated her, she scolded herself. Gabrielle ignored her friend's outburst and continued with her original train of thought.

"After this place, though, I knew. I knew it wouldn't happen. It didn't matter what I said, what I did. When we came back I reached out for you and you pulled away, and I guess it finally just? hit me. We were both so raw - there were no games - and I knew that your reaction was what you really felt, deep down." Gabrielle paused, unsure how she had managed to say all this to Xena. How she had been able to confess her love and her deep-seated inadequacy on the matter without breaking down and running away. Of course she had nowhere to run at the moment, but that was another matter entirely. "I know you care about me, I always knew it - but only as a friend, I finally got it. And then I felt guilty about before - you'd come back from the dead and I pushed you, made it all about me and what I wanted?"

Gabrielle trailed off as Xena stood up before her. Backing off a step, the bard turned around, afraid.

"I guess I can be pretty dense, but I finally figured it out here. I knew I had to forget about what I wanted and just be the friend you needed. It should have been enough, it had to be enough. All I ever wanted was to be with you and see you happy?"

I just wanted to be the one who makes you happy, she neglected to say.

Finally Gabrielle had reached a point where she couldn't continue. She felt her chest tremble as she fought back a sob. She raised her hands to cover her face, angry with herself for this display. She wiped at the silent tears that reached her cheeks, determined not to let Xena know the depth of her despair. However, as soon as she felt the warrior's arms wrap around her, the tears began to flow more freely and her shoulders began to shake as she let it all out.

"Gabrielle, I never wanted things to get like this between us. I'm sorry." Xena's voice was husky, strangled from the emotion she was feeling. She kissed the top of her friend's head before resting her cheek against the soft blonde locks. She closed her eyes, losing herself in this moment of tenderness.

It took a minute for Gabrielle to regain her composure, but finally she wiped the last of the tears away from her eyes. Ignoring the lump in her throat and the warmth of Xena's embrace, she gently removed the warrior's arms from around her and stepped away. She turned around and raised her red eyes to meet her friend's.

"Please don't, Xena. Don't say you're sorry. There's nothing for you to regret, I promise. I'm just sorry I put you in this position."

Xena reached out to take Gabrielle's face between her hands, lifting the bard's gaze to meet hers. She needed to be sure she had the woman's full attention. Locking her eyes onto her friend's, she attentively caressed the bard's cheeks with her thumbs, her fingers brushing a few stray hairs behind the bard's ear. She could see the pain in Gabrielle's eyes - pain she had caused - and she wanted to let the woman know she wasn't alone with it anymore.

"Gabrielle," Xena whispered affectionately. "You're wrong about us, about all of it. I am the one who should be sorry. You've done nothing to deserve this."

Xena paused, searching for the right words to continue. Now more than ever she wished she possessed Gabrielle's skills, her ability to find the right words to say. Meanwhile, Gabrielle waited silently as her friend struggled.

"If anyone should feel guilty, it's me. For treating you like I have, for making you think I don't feel the same way you do. For being so terrified of my feelings, of losing control, that I decided to act like nothing had happened. Above all, for letting you think that you meant anything less than the world to me."

Gabrielle stared at Xena, confusion evident in her green eyes and her lips pursed open slightly as though on the verge of asking a question. She was unnerved by her friend's words, and she was having a hard time understanding them or if they were even really real. Xena could see all the questions in her friend's features. It was now or never, she decided. This would be her last chance to turn back. However, feeling the dryness of her throat and the wild beating of her heart, she realized she didn't want to turn back - not anymore.

"I love you. I have for as long as I can remember. But I kept quiet because I didn't know how you felt. Until? until I was on the other side and I could hear you?" Xena trailed off, remembering with a faint smile how it felt to have proof that her feelings were returned, the joy that took hold in her heart in spite of the torments of Tartarus. "That's what kept me going, gave me the strength to come back. I had given up, but the thought of never again being with you, letting you know how I felt? I couldn't accept that."

Xena could feel Gabrielle trembling slightly, and after a moment she realized she was doing the same. Gently she lowered her hands, taking Gabrielle's, and she led them both to sit on the stone dais. Absentmindedly she began to move her thumbs in small circles across the back of Gabrielle's hands as she continued.

"When I came back and we were finally together? that's all I wanted out of life. As far as I was concerned, I was done. I was through atoning, done with my debt, all that mattered was you." Xena paused, feeling her cheeks flush. To finally tell Gabrielle what she really felt both elated and terrified her. "I'd have done anything you wanted, followed you anywhere.

"Then? Velasca came back. I should have been able to stop her before she ate the ambrosia, but? I don't know. I was too slow, I was distracted. And after everything that happened with her and Callisto, I realized I couldn't be with you and still protect you like I had. I decided I would rather have you in my life, in any way, than love you and lose you."

"Xena, I never wanted you to protect me!" Gabrielle said angrily, her voice cracking. "Besides, you had to know you couldn't always be there to save me."

"I know, but I was going to try my best. I couldn't lose you. I'm not that strong."

"All this time?" Gabrielle said emotionally, torn between anger and immense grief. "We lost so much time. And you made me think?"

"I'm so sorry, Gabrielle," Xena whispered. "You deserve better. I was just afraid."

"Is that supposed to be an excuse?" Gabrielle shot back furiously. "Did you think you were the only one who was afraid? I had just lost you, I was being pushed to start a new life without you, and then? you were back. Did you think that what I'd been through would just disappear? That I could forget how empty life felt without you?"

"No, I?"

"Besides, after Hope, when you thought I was gone, the world didn't end. You kept going. When I came back, how could you still think it was right?" Gabrielle accused.

"I didn't," Xena admitted. "I wanted to tell you then, I wanted to just? spend the rest of my life with you. But so much was happening, I didn't have time to think, and when it was over it just felt like the right time had passed."

Xena looked guiltily into Gabrielle's eyes, hoping to make the young woman understand.

"I'm not proud of it Gabrielle, but you are the one thing in my life that scares me."

Gabrielle seemed to appreciate what the warrior was telling her, but the more she thought about it, the more it bothered her. She was visibly trembling with anger when she spoke next.

"You're either a coward or a liar. Xena, you say you loved me and wanted to protect me, but there were so many times?. You weren't always there for me, or sometimes you hurt me yourself. I want to believe you, but I can't? your words don't match your actions."

Xena pulled Gabrielle closer, fighting off the young woman's weak objections. She cradled the blonde head against her shoulder and began to stroke her hair gently, feeling warm splashes on her skin from where Gabrielle's quiet tears fell.

"Whenever I could feel myself slipping, getting close to admitting how I felt about you, I became? irrational. I would do something deliberate to stop myself. That's why I ignored you, or said and did things to hurt you. I'm so sorry?"

The longer the two women sat in silence, the more Gabrielle's anger grew. Looking back over the course of their lives together, so many words and gestures took on a new meaning - a meaning that she realized she hated more than her original interpretation. Through all her memories, one thought kept pushing itself to the forefront.

You owe someone so much you would throw away these last few years? Those words still rang in her ears as though they were spoken just yesterday. At the time she had been struggling - the pain from her ordeal with Dahak and Hope threatened to consume her - and just to survive every day required her to beat down the fear and shame she felt and pretend nothing had changed. She had been angry at her violation, angry at the indifference the warrior seemed to show towards her struggle, and - above all - when Xena responded with a simple "yes" to that question, she felt alone? and empty? and finally, full of rage. To think now that it may have been premeditated and that the warrior had known the full effect her rejection would have, it was unbearable.

"You're an idiot," Gabrielle finally said, pushing away from Xena's embrace and getting to her feet. The young woman walked to the far edge of the room and stood facing the drab gray wall, keeping her back to the surprised warrior. Even at such a distance, Xena could feel the anger radiating from the bard in surging waves, as though her rage could have the same destructive power of Lao Ma's gift. For a moment the warrior was filled with a level of self-loathing she hadn't felt in ages. Deciding it for the best, she kept her distance and silently watched her friend process her feelings.

"Gabrielle, what are you thinking?" Xena finally asked, finding the blonde's withdrawal to be unnerving.

"I'm just remembering...." Gabrielle trailed off into silence for several long moments. When she finally spoke again Xena was startled by the harshness of the bard's tones. "We can't ever go back. I can't do that again. Too much has happened."

"Gabrielle, please don't say that."

"No, it's true," Gabrielle said strongly, turning to face the woman she had once loved more than life itself. "You don't understand. You don't know how much I ended up hating myself. I was so weak, so needy, so wrong. When I pulled Hope into the lava pit, I wasn't afraid to die. I was actually looking forward to it. I just wanted it all to end."

"Gabrielle?" Xena managed to say, her voice breaking.

The young woman was lost in her thoughts, though, not hearing Xena's plea. She stared blankly into the distance and, when next she spoke, it was more to herself than anyone else.

"I wanted it to end. I kept waiting for it to happen; it never did." Xena was confused by the darkening expression in Gabrielle's eyes. Remembering everything that had happened when Gabrielle had sacrificed herself and all that she had gone through afterwards to try to find her, the questions that had been pushed to the back of the warrior's mind when she was reunited with Gabrielle began to resurface.

"You never told me what really happened." Xena gently probed. After hearing both Hope and Gabrielle's account of the fall and comparing it to what she had found as she explored the pit, she had known immediately that she was being lied to. She had been hurt and confused by the knowledge, but she'd always figured it inconsequential. Either Gabrielle was in too much pain to honestly say or she couldn't remember and had made up a story to try and fill in the blanks for herself. Either way, Xena had never found a pressing need to challenge her friend - until now.

At first Xena wasn't sure if Gabrielle had even heard her words. The young woman remained fixated on a point in the distance, on something that wasn't there but was still very real for her. Finally the young woman closed her eyes and, defeated, leaned against the wall for support. Slowly she slid down until she was crouched on the floor, and she wrapped one arm anxiously around her knees as she covered her face with her free hand.

"It was hard enough to come back; I just couldn't think about it." The sadness in the young woman's voice touched Xena. Desperately the warrior wanted to go over and comfort her friend, but she feared the response she would receive and instead kept her distance.

"I? I needed you to be strong for me, for us both. Gods I was so lost. Do you remember when I asked you if things are ever really over or if they just keep coming back with a different face? If only I'd known then what I know now." Gabrielle laughed miserably.

"Gabrielle, please tell me. I don't want you to feel alone anymore."

This time, regardless of the fear in her heart, Xena went over to her friend. She sat against the wall next to the young woman and put an arm around her shoulders, holding her softly. With her free hand she tenderly grasped the fingers Gabrielle had tightly wrapped around her knee, willing her friend to take some comfort in the embrace and relax.

"Hope saved me," Gabrielle finally said, so quiet Xena nearly missed it. The warrior stilled at the words, not sure how to react. "She intervened on my behalf with Dahak, even though I'd tried to kill her. She kept begging me to love her. She said that she forgave me, and that her father would too if I would just join them. But I couldn't? not after what happened to you. To Solan."

Xena could feel tears starting to well up in her eyes so she closed them. She'd always known how hurt Gabrielle had been by Solan's death, but Xena had insisted on grieving separately. Even though later on she had forgiven the young woman, absolved her of any blame, she knew her friend had still carried a tremendous amount of guilt. Xena had found her son's death too difficult to revisit, though, and she never spoke of it. She had hoped keeping the memory at a distance would help them move on, but now she realized instead that it had the opposite effect. To Gabrielle it was damning proof of her own culpability. Xena tightened her hold on the young woman. She needed to be strong right now, to let her friend know she wasn't alone with this.

"I don't know where I was or how long I was there, but one day Hope stopped coming. She gave up on me. Then it was just me and Dahak?." Gabrielle began to tremble uncontrollably. "I don't remember much after that. The next thing I really remember is waking up in the woods outside Potedaia. I didn't know if I was dead or alive, I just started walking; and then there was you."

"I'm sorry Gabrielle," Xena said, her voice cracking. Tears began to flow freely now. "I looked everywhere for you, but I failed you when you needed me the most."

"You couldn't have known," Gabrielle replied flatly.

"I should have known," Xena responded, angry with herself. "I should have asked, you shouldn't have been alone with this. All this time I thought by keeping you at a distance I was keeping you safe. But all I've done is hurt you. I never want to do that again; please forgive me."

Gabrielle began to sob quietly, burying her face in Xena's shoulder. Hesitantly, her arms wrapped around the warrior's neck. Xena held her friend tightly, allowing the young woman to finally grieve and deal with her repressed anguish. Both became lost in the comfort they received by their closeness, a feeling they had both thought lost. After a few minutes, the two women calmed a bit and regained a modicum of composure.

"I promise things will be better," Xena said quietly, pressing a gentle kiss to the side of her friend's temple. In response Gabrielle pressed further into the warm embrace, swallowing the lump in her throat. Xena subconsciously began to stroke the back of the young woman's neck, playing with the tendrils of blonde hair that fell there.

Suddenly Gabrielle jumped, her eyes opening wide. She looked around her, searching for something. Xena could feel the agitation in her friend and she reluctantly released her hold as the young woman pushed away and got to her feet. Xena kept her eyes shifting alertly between the bard and their surroundings, confused.

"Gabrielle, what is it?" she asked, alarmed.

"I don't know," Gabrielle responded under her breath. Suddenly she was jolted again and she released a tremulous sigh of pain, wrapping her arms around herself. She continued to look around nervously. "What's happening to me?"

Before Xena's eyes the form of her friend began to fade slowly. Xena jumped to her feet and grabbed her friend's hands. Demanding the bard's attention, Xena stood before the woman and stared deep into her eyes.

"Gabrielle, Morpheus is taking you away again," Xena said quickly. She released her hold on the young woman's hands and instead reached up to caress Gabrielle's face. Green eyes held her own resolutely, fear and sadness evident in them. "Please don't give up. Believe in me, believe in us. I'm coming for you. I won't lose you again."

Gabrielle began to sway, having a hard time focusing. It took all the effort she had to remain with Xena, to hear what she had to say.

"When the time comes, I want you to call Morpheus to you. Whatever he has planned, make sure he's there. Do you understand?" Xena asked fervently.

Gabrielle nodded weakly.

"I don't understand, but I'll call him," she answered, her voice faint.

"Good," Xena replied, softening her stance a little. She gave Gabrielle her most caring gaze and hoped it would be enough to convey all that she wanted to say. "I won't let anything happen to you. We'll see each other again soon."

Xena paused, unsure of herself. Gabrielle was nearly gone now and it was difficult to keep a hold on her. If this was her last chance, she knew what she needed to do. She looked deeply into Gabrielle's eyes.

"I love you," the warrior said tenderly.

"I love you too," Gabrielle replied.

Xena leaned forward, softly placing her lips upon Gabrielle's. The kiss was gentle and slow, but soon she felt Gabrielle stir and return the touch. Both women put all they could into the kiss, clinging to each other as passionately as a drowning man to a life preserver. Just as Xena felt a return of the feelings they once shared, she felt Gabrielle's essence disappear from her. A lone tear fell down her cheek as she took in the now empty room before her.

"I'll find you," she said quietly, her voice resolute.

Chapter Seventeen: Separation

When Gabrielle opened her eyes she found herself staring into the dark, angry countenance of the priest of Morpheus. Reflexively she tried to shift back but she found she was unable to move. His eyes narrowed dangerously, and Gabrielle suddenly realized that not only could she not move, but she couldn't speak either. She let out a weak, muffled shout instead.

"Did you really think you could escape our god?" the priest asked. Before Gabrielle could even consider the question the man had struck her hard against the side of her face. It took her a moment to regain her bearings, but when she did she began to look around, hoping for a means of escape.

She was disheartened to find she was back in her prison cell. As she lay her head back against the stone altar she glanced to the right and saw the two guards she had attacked earlier anxiously staring down at her, hands on their sword hilts. To her left she saw a monster of a man, also in the guise of a soldier but Gabrielle could tell there was something different about him. His deeply scarred face shone with glee as he stared at her, and Gabrielle trembled inwardly at his expression.

"I see that the compassion and regard shown to you earlier did not make an impression," the priest spoke again in his deep tones. Gabrielle turned her gaze again to meet his, silently wondering what compassion he was talking about. "Before we would have let you speak in your defense, perhaps granted a few mercies, but not now. You have been found guilty of treason against the gods, and your punishment has been decided."

Gabrielle tried to open her mouth to speak, forgetting for a moment that she could not. Instead she narrowed her eyes, biting down on the tight, painful gag in her mouth. Suddenly she felt a great sense of despair. She remembered her final moments with Xena in the dreamscape, and the promises they made there. Now, it seemed there was nothing she could do to keep up her end of the bargain. Xena couldn't reach her in time to save her, and whatever potential their future had would go unfulfilled.

"Save your strength, child," Manus continued, noting with pleasure the defeat in the young woman before him. "In twenty four hours you will be executed before the unified armies of the gods, a message to all who oppose their divine rule. Until then you will be cursed with madness. Your dreams will be as reality, your reality as dreams. You will not have the luxury of preparing yourself for your sacrifice. Instead, all life will be but a dim shadow to you. You will live in your nightmares."

Gabrielle tried to scream as the scarred brute grabbed her by the throat and lifted her easily off the ground. Roughly he slammed her onto the stone altar, leaving her dazed. She was vaguely conscious of hands on her ankles, holding her down, but all her awareness was on the large man before her. He leered at her, delighting in her fear. Grabbing her wrists he pulled them up hard and high above her head, stretching her flat and defenseless against the stone slab. Gabrielle felt her arms were about to be pulled out of their sockets and she tried to control her breathing and stop tears of pain from falling from her eyes.

She heard a deep, low murmur as the priest began an incantation nearby. A chill settled into her body, and suddenly she felt as though she hovered above her own body. She could still dimly feel the pain, but it seemed separate from herself. She numbly wandered in and out of alertness. She jumped a little as she felt something splash her body, and looking down she saw some kind of silver liquid being showered on her. The droplets seemed unnaturally to pool together on her chest, and as she watched the liquid solidified and began to press into her flesh.

She tried again to scream. The pain coming from her chest surprised her. It felt both sharp and heavy, and it seemed to settle in her heart, strangling away her breath. For a minute, every breath she took was short and excruciating. Quickly after that the chanting stopped, and suddenly she felt free. She felt lightweight and unworried. She wanted to laugh at the strange way the torchlight flickered around her. There was an unnatural quiet and stillness to the world, and she reveled in it.

She seemed to levitate off the smooth stone upon which she lie and she wondered at the feeling. She closed her eyes and suddenly she was flying. She struck the stone wall several feet away, but she hardly noticed. Still she felt light. She was tossed again to the other side of the room, and when she hit that wall she slid down to the floor.

Gabrielle looked up without pain as her vision darkened. The scarred, sneering visage of Morpheus's soldier stood above her. Serenely she watched him. He kicked her three times hard in the stomach, each time slamming her back against the wall. Her head lolled around and she gazed up again questioningly. With a savage cry he brought his fist up and then sent a vicious backhanded blow across her face. She collapsed to the floor in a growing pool of her own blood, more bewildered than hurt. She stared ahead blankly as the man raised his knee, ready to bring his boot down in a final, decisive strike to her head.

The blow never came, Morpheus's priest intervening. Her death would have no meaning unless it was before the troops. With a final hateful glance, the men left her alone in her cell. Dazed, she blinked against the blood seeping into her eyes.

Xena gasped for air suddenly and felt cold air rushing into her lungs. Greedily she sucked in the oxygen as her eyes opened, scanning the room around her. Unsettled, it took a moment for her confusion to pass and for her to recognize her surroundings.

Fighting the burning sensation of muscles deprived of air, the warrior pushed herself up into a sitting position. A few paces away stood the former priest of Morpheus and beyond him Aphrodite. Xena noted the shocked, fearful expressions on their faces as she internally replayed her final moments in the dreamscape. After Gabrielle disappeared she had fought desperately to wake up, a growing sense of dread gnawing at her heart. Now Xena looked around despairingly, wishing for Gabrielle's presence and knowing instead the bard was far away and in real danger.

"I have to go!" Xena exclaimed, her voice strangled. Clumsily she pushed herself to her feet and she barely had time to catch herself, stopping herself from falling to her knees. Wobbly, she let go of the table she had rested upon and began to head towards the door.

"Xena, maybe you should lie down a little longer," Aphrodite said, noting how the warrior dragged her feet. "You don't look so hot right now."

"I don't have time," Xena said impatiently. "Gabrielle's still alive, but I don't know for how long."

"You saw her?" the goddess said, surprised.

"I talked to her in the dreamscape before she disappeared. Morpheus took her from me before we could escape."

"You and she shared a dreamscape?" the priest interjected, surprised.

"We've done it before," Xena said, annoyed at the interruption.

"It's just? highly unusual. I thought you were going to take the passage to his lair," the man said weakly.

"I would have, but Morpheus knows me better now. After Gabrielle left I was trapped," Xena said, remembering how at the same time her friend had disappeared, the lone door had gone away too. "I can't go back that way, which means I have to hurry."

Suddenly anxious to get started, Xena resumed walking to the door. In the few moments of speech her strength had returned and she was now only a little shaky. Before she could open the door Aphrodite reached her and held onto the warrior's arm. Turning her burning eyes towards the goddess, Xena silently questioned the interruption.

"How do you know you're not already too late?" Aphrodite asked cautiously. "What if you don't get there in time?"

Xena narrowed her eyes.

"Failure isn't an option," Xena said pointedly. Then, closing her eyes and reaching out with her heart, she spoke again. "Besides, I can feel her. I know she's alive; I still have time."

"What can I do to help?" Aphrodite asked sincerely. Xena smiled sadly at the goddess, then remembered something that had been said in the dreamscape.

"Morpheus's army is on the way here right now. Once I entered his realm he knew where I was. Please help Eve get out of here to safety."

Aphrodite considered for a moment, then nodded.

"Thank you," Xena said warmly. With a final smile to the goddess, she exited the room.

After a moment of silence the mystic walked to Aphrodite's side. He glanced sideways at her, totally thrown for a loop at everything he'd witnessed.

"This is all over my head," he admitted, shaking his head. Aphrodite smiled, still seeing a gleam she'd noticed in Xena's eyes before she left. It was one she recognized and welcomed back heartily.

"You have no idea," Aphrodite told the man before going to find Eve and make good on her promise to the warrior.

Chapter Eighteen: Waking Dreams

Gabrielle lie peacefully on her back and stared up at the stars above her, picking out the constellations she and Xena had pointed out so many times before. Finding the bear that her partner had argued with her over so many times, Gabrielle laughed and turned on her side, looking towards where Xena should be. The night sky never quite felt the same without the familiar company, and Gabrielle sighed quietly at her solitude.

She felt a presence behind her and her lips curled up again. Deciding to feign indifference, the bard began to pick at a patch of grass just off her bedroll.

"Finally done giving Argo attention?" she said nonchalantly. Picking up a thin twig and twirling it between her fingers before tossing it away, Gabrielle sighed theatrically. She grinned to herself, hoping the unspoken request in her words would not go unnoticed.

Unnoticed by Gabrielle, the two guards from earlier eyed her warily from the door of her jail cell. They watched as she picked at the barren concrete floor, scraping her fingernails against the stone surface until the tips of her fingers began to bleed lightly. The men turned to each other, sharing a puzzled look. The older of the two raised his hand above his head, drawing circles in the air to emphasize the insanity of their prisoner.

"Let's just get this over with," the younger man said uncertainly, eying the young woman within the cell fearfully. He hesitantly took a step inside towards their charge.

"Makis, you have got to relax," the other guard said, casually striding inside. Standing above the prisoner, he made a show of stomping his foot near her head. She didn't show the slightest bit of reaction, still entranced with the floor.

"You remember what she did to us earlier, Antone." The young guard slowly made his way around Gabrielle, standing several feet away from her on the opposite side of his comrade. "Obviously the priest still thinks she's a threat or he wouldn't want us to chain her up again."

"She's lost it," Antone replied, kneeling down until he was within easy reach of the young woman. Studying her, he grinned wickedly. "She's a little banged up but still easy on the eyes. We could have some fun tonight and who would know? Certainly she wouldn't."

"Maybe not, but Morpheus would know," Makis shot back. Suddenly bold he stepped closer and kneeled down as well until he was facing the prisoner. He looked at her face, noting the blood-encrusted gash running from her right ear up to her hairline. Turning his gaze lower he saw the already darkening bruise on her midsection and wondered at the damage their captain had done. He blinked back the sorrow he felt inside, determined to show a steely front to his friend. Once more glancing at her face and realizing she had no idea of her company, he raised resolute eyes to Antone.

"She doesn't know we're here, let's just carry her over and get out of here. I'll get her feet."

The young man didn't wait for a response and instead moved to grab the young woman's ankles. He looked up to find his companion taking hold of her wrists. Without another word the two men lifted the light woman off the ground.

Suddenly Gabrielle began to thrash, fighting the unseen forces that she felt attacking her. She tried to cry out in pain but instead felt something cutting into the corners of her mouth, causing them to bleed. The familiar metallic taste in her mouth only added to her rising fear, and she twisted as best she could. She stopped short when she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen. She closed her eyes to the world around her, tears still managing to escape despite her best efforts.

The two guards struggled to hold onto the writhing woman. Somehow they managed to carry her to the altar and place her on the platform. Neither felt safe releasing their grasp on her limbs, though, sure to do so would be to welcome another good wallop from the prisoner. They looked at each other nervously.

"What are we supposed to do now?" Makis asked, watching the woman wrestle against their unwelcome hands. "What's wrong with her?"

"She's possessed," Antone said emphatically, assuming her agitation to be another effect of her madness. "That priest has it in for us, I say. No wonder he sent us to deal with this lunatic."

After finding a pattern to the woman's struggles, Makis realized the problem. He saw the pain in her expression, noted the blood seeping from her gag and the way she tried to protect her abdomen from being wrenched further.

"She's hurt," the young man said softly. He looked at his hands and then at the strong hold Antone had on her wrists. He realized the pain they had inflicted moving her and the continued pressure they were placing on her fragile body. "On the count of three, let go of her and step back."

"Now you're the crazy one," Antone spat out, disgusted.

"It's the way we've got her held, it's pulling her stomach. She's probably got some broken ribs or something," Makis insisted. "If we both let go maybe she'll find a more comfortable position and settle."

The older guard looked at his companion darkly before flicking his eyes towards the prisoner. Finally he agreed with the assessment and nodded his head.

"On three then," Antone said gruffly.

"One? two? three!"

Both men released their hold and jumped back a couple paces to safety. As Makis had figured, Gabrielle calmed as soon as the strange hands released her and curled slightly on her side. She lowered her hands and placed them on her bruised stomach, wincing noticeably at the contact.

"How in Hades are we supposed to chain her like that?" Antone said in frustration. Makis eyed the woman thoughtfully.

"Maybe we should get the healer," he mentioned, seeing her tremble slightly. Before he could be accused of caring, he raised a firm gaze towards his companion. "If she dies I don't want to think what'll happen to us."

Antone narrowed his eyes thoughtfully before looking at the prisoner.

"I'm not staying here to watch her while you run off," he said scornfully.

"I'll stay," Makis decided. Antone paused, nodded, then exited quickly. Makis watched the door close behind him before returning his gaze to the injured woman.

As he noted her injuries he felt a deep sense of shame. She appeared to be about his age, and her soft appearance reminded him of someone he had known before he left home. Someone he cared for and never wanted to see in pain. A muffled moan came from the prisoner, and before Makis knew it he'd undone and removed the gag that had stifled her. He let it soundlessly drop to the floor.

Once brought to mind Makis's thoughts couldn't leave the woman he had known back home: Alyssa. It was his last day in the village before being sent to Morpheus's training camps. The recruiters had come that morning and made their selection of young men, and learning it was to be his last day at home he had immediately set out to find her.

Closing his eyes he could see her as she had looked that day. He went to the well at the center of the village market, hoping to find her nearby. He wasn't disappointed. She was just finishing a transaction with a merchant for some blue cloth - cloth that he thought matched her eyes remarkably - before she turned and spotted him across the square. Her dazzling smile made him weak with an incredible sadness, one he tried hard to hide before she reached him.

Her curly reddish blonde hair blew gently in the breeze, and Makis would have sworn her to be a vision of Elysia. Her bright eyes shone with happiness, and setting down her basket she wrapped her arms around him in greeting. He had been dumbstruck, not wanting the moment to end but knowing he had much to say and little time in which to say it.

"She's beautiful."

Makis was awakened from his daydream by the surprising voice. Opening his eyes he looked around to see if Antone and the doctor had arrived yet, but instead he found that the only other soul in the room was the prisoner.

"You two seemed happy," she continued wistfully, staring blankly at the wall.

"What?" he asked shakily, confused. "What are you talking about?"

"You and that woman. She was very pretty, and she seemed to like you," Gabrielle said, smiling.

"How could you?" Makis couldn't even finish his thought, he was too taken aback.

"We were just there," Gabrielle said simply as though she were speaking to a child. "I'm not sure where we are now, but that place seemed? nicer."

"Get out of my head!" Makis snapped. His memories were all he had left here, and he didn't want to share them with anyone, let alone a condemned prisoner who just happened to have given him one hell of a splitting headache.

"You need to relax a little," the prisoner said light-heartedly.

"Well you need to mind your own business," the guard spat at her. "You're going to die tomorrow. You don't have enough of your own thoughts to occupy you until then?"

Gabrielle closed her eyes and rested her head against the cool stone of the altar, letting it anchor her momentarily.

"I think I do, I'm just having a hard time finding them," she said, more to herself than the guard. "I don't think I get to choose."

"You're crazy," he muttered, reminding himself of the priest's earlier handiwork.

"Sounds right," she said before drifting off again.

Xena ran stealthily through the trees, keeping a steady yet alert pace. Before leaving Aphrodite's temple she had said a quick goodbye to her daughter, and everything since that point had been a blur at best. Xena had always been skillful when it came to focusing on an objective, but in this instance she would have thought otherwise. It wasn't so much focus anymore as an unwavering obsession that filled her mind. She would not tolerate any deviation from her path, but she knew one was upcoming.

Her senses had alerted her long before this point to the small cohort of soldiers that lay just ahead. Normally she would have just gone around, sure enough in her abilities to remain invisible to them. But in this case they had something she needed, so a short digression was needed. She was making admirable progress on foot, but the speed a horse would lend her was worth being side-tracked for a little bit.

After reaching a certain point in the trees, Xena came to an immediate stop. She knelt quietly, feeling outwards with her senses. She was close now. It was just after midday and the soldiers up ahead had stopped for a short meal. As she listened she picked out the competing sounds until she had an accurate count. Twenty soldiers total - four patrolling the area while the rest ate their meal. The odds may have caused some to pause, but Xena looked forward to an outlet for her anger. As far as she was concerned, the fight would be short.

Pulling her sword from her scabbard, Xena raised once more to her feet. Her eyes glinted, her lips pulled in a feral grin, the warrior took one last second to assess what lay ahead. Then, without a second thought, she charged forward.

As she ran, Xena pulled her chakram. Without looking she flung it to the side, vaguely hearing the strangled cry of her first victim. Now she could see the men in the camp, the surprise in their eyes as they realized they were under attack. She snarled fiercely and let out her war cry, flipping high into the air and landing amidst the unprepared soldiers.

Her sword slashed out dangerously, the beautiful pattern of the strokes contrasting with the carnage it inflicted. Her guttural shouts put fear into the hearts of the men who managed to withstand the first onslaught and duck away to retrieve their weapons. When her weapon finally ceased its arcing movements, six men lay dead at her feet. Without thinking, Xena reached up and caught her chakram as its trajectory neared.

The remaining men, having regained their senses after the surprise attack, felt a surge of anger and invincibility. One lone woman stood before them, and although she had killed six of their comrades, the element of surprise was now gone. One of the men, obviously of some rank, began calling out orders to his men and they quickly formed a circle around their assailant.

Xena's eyes blazed with a mixture of fury and joy and she laughed out loud. She twirled her sword in her hand before beginning a large overhead sweep with the blade, pushing back the weapons of the soldiers. As a few of the less capable soldiers struggled to keep their blade ready after her swipe, Xena charged forward. With her sword in her right hand and her chakram in her left hand, she cleaved a bloody path through the wall of men. Her precise, quick killing strokes soon decimated the resistance.

She became aware of a presence at the outer limits of the site and quickly tossed her chakram. Within seconds an arrow flew at her head. She caught the bolt, immediately turning it back and thrusting it through the neck of a soldier to her side. The chakram made quick work of the archer before coming back to her hand.

It hardly seemed any time had passed before the battle was all but over. Xena hadn't even managed to break a sweat, though she was covered in the blood and gore of the men who opposed her. She spared a quick glance back at the trail of bodies behind her, hardly aware of the role she had played in their demise. Kneeling, she wiped the blade of her sword with the tunic of a fallen man before placing it back in her scabbard.

Standing again she became aware of another presence. She raised her chakram to shoulder level threateningly, looking at the two remaining soldiers who had been away on patrol as they approached. As she drew back the weapon to throw she saw the fear in their eyes. They were so young, hardly more than boys. She paused, watching them as they both threw down their weapons. They then turned on their heels and fled the massacre.

Xena closed her eyes for a second, regaining her equilibrium. She had been so consumed by bloodlust, but still she had allowed two men to walk away. Once upon a time that wouldn't have been a possibility. But she was different now. There was no denying the influence Gabrielle had been in her life. Even in the circumstances she now faced, she couldn't turn her back on that. Neither, she realized, could she reflect too long on it. Calming herself, Xena placed the chakram back on her belt and opened her eyes. Spotting the horses nearby, she chose what appeared to be the quickest, sturdiest mount and jumped on. There would be time later to think of the profound changes Gabrielle had brought to her life once the young woman was back in it.

Gabrielle wandered slowly through the meadow, the sun warming her skin comfortably. She kept her eyes closed as she moved, her hands out to her sides, palm down, letting the soft strands of the waist-high grass tickle her fingers. She knew she'd been here some time before, but the exact nature of the memory remained a mystery. Gabrielle found that the harder she tried to grasp at the recollection, the further away it got. Finally she decided to just enjoy this place for what it was.

As she walked Gabrielle exited the tall grass and came to a riverbank. She looked upon the muddy shore, feeling again that she should recognize it and being frustrated by the elusiveness of her thoughts. She knelt down, picking up a rock and skipping it across the water's surface, feeling that such an action should provoke some profound memory but once again being rebuffed.

What previously had been a calm river suddenly changed before Gabrielle's eyes. Bodies rose up from the depths of the water and began to float downstream. Gabrielle jumped to her feet, feeling sick at the sight of the dead men staring blankly into the blue sky. She recognized their clothing to be from the Athenian garrison and finally was able to know the place for what it was. At that moment, a tall pierced man rose up out of the water. Covered only in a few pieces of animal skin, the Horde member savagely looked Gabrielle over before raising his weapon to strike her down.

Shocked, Gabrielle screamed and turned on her heels, running as quickly as she could. Dodging her way through the grassy field, she couldn't hear the man following but still she continued to run. Finally she decided to slow for a moment and turn to look. When she did she realized she wasn't being followed anymore, but no longer was she in the same place.

The entire field before her now stretched for many miles, and for as far as the eye could see in every direction the land was filled with death. Smoke drifted up in places, turning the sky a hazy orange. Gabrielle slowly moved onto the battlefield, looking amongst the bodies. There were so many dead, she didn't know what she was looking for. Nearby was a Roman soldier, further along some amazons - looking up in the distance Gabrielle could make out the crosses on which hung simple peasants. She was overwhelmed by the sense of loss in this place.

Gabrielle staggered to her knees, unsure of what to do or where to go. Suddenly a hand was placed on her shoulder and she looked up into the face of Perdicas.

"What are? where am I?" Gabrielle asked, both relieved and saddened to see a familiar face here amongst so much carnage.

Putting his hand beneath Gabrielle's elbow Perdicas raised her to her feet.

"Surely you should recognize your own handiwork, Gabrielle," he told her as he began to pick his way through the bodies. Pointing down at one he spoke again. "Here's Meridian, your first. There's Ephiny. Brutus. Joxer."

As Perdicas spoke the names he would point to a different corpse littering the ground. After a while of this Gabrielle finally broke down.

"Stop! What is this? Why are you showing me this?" she cried out, looking at all the familiar faces.

"I'm not. This is your mind, not mine. All the death you've seen, the killing you've participated in, it all has a place in you. This graveyard is of your own making," he spoke calmly, still searching through the bodies. "Over there, Phlanagus. Eli. Well this is a familiar face, looks just like you. I suppose that would be your daughter Hope. Funny, when we discussed children you wanted to name your daughter after Xena. Wonder how she lost that honor."

A surge of anger rose up in Gabrielle and she spun Perdicas to face her. She pointed an accusatory finger in his face.

"What about you then? Why aren't you dead?" she questioned.

Perdicas opened his shirt, revealing the mortal wound he'd received so long ago from Callisto. Gabrielle stepped back at the sight.

"I'm dead as the rest, but I couldn't pass up the chance to have a chat with my loving wife, could I? Even if you were too busy lusting after your best friend to pay me a second thought," he said candidly, glancing curiously at his wound before closing his shirt back up. "Gods know I only got this trying to save you."

"That's not fair," Gabrielle said bitterly, closing her eyes against the tears that threatened to fall.

"No one ever said the truth was fair. Or life, or love, but I guess we both know that pretty well."

"I'm sorry," Gabrielle finally managed, her voice quiet. She opened her eyes, locking her gaze with the man she married, hoping to convey her honesty. Even knowing in a way that this wasn't real, she wanted to apologize to the man. It was something she never got a chance to do in life, no matter how much she wished she could have.

"Nothing to be sorry for, Gabrielle," he said cordially. He smiled as he reached out and took her hands. "I'll just wait here for you with everyone else. I figure I don't have that much longer to wait anyway."

"What?" Gabrielle asked, suddenly confused. She stepped away, pulling free from his hold.

"You're not looking so good," he said, pointing to her midriff. Gabrielle glanced down, only now noticing the dark bruise on her abdomen. She put her hands on her stomach, gurgling now in pain. She fell to her knees, then looked up to the heavens and screamed.

"Gods above, you'd think we were killing her right now," Antone shouted above the unnatural screams of the prisoner. He tightened the chains on her wrists, pulling them taut until Gabrielle lay flat on her back against the stone altar. On the opposite end performing the same duties to her leg shackles, Makis grimaced against the echoing shouts.

Quietly observing everything, Nyko the temple healer remained quiet. Once the chains were sufficiently tight and no longer pulling the young woman, her cries faded into a pitiful moaning. Nyko stepped forward, checking her injuries to make sure she would survive until her execution. The abdomen, while obviously quite painful, was no threat. The bruising on her throat and wrists was nothing remarkable, and the gash on the side of her head probably meant she was concussed but otherwise all right. It could have used stitches but Nyko didn't see wasting his time or talent on a dead woman, even if she was still breathing at this moment.

Antone picked up the gag from the floor where Makis had dropped it earlier. Frustrated, he threw the dirty cloth at the younger guard.

"You just had to take this off her. Now I won't be hearing right for weeks," the older man sniped. The guards continued their inspection, making sure the chains would hold the prisoner this time.

As the two guards finished their assessment, Nyko rolled his eyes. As far as he was concerned these two could be disposed of with the prisoner in the morning, as useless as they were. Two prison guards for one measly prisoner, and she still had managed to escape. Not to mention they'd dragged him all the way down here to check on her. No, these two were incompetent all right. As though he didn't have more important things to think about than the welfare of a condemned prisoner.

Letting his thoughts drift inward, Nyko thought of the unfinished letter waiting in his office. Next week was his son's birthday, and while normally he would take the boy out fishing that didn't seem possible now. Not with all the armies of the gods converging here in a plot to run across Greece. Nyko sighed. Sometimes these divine edicts were such a hassle.

Nyko closed his eyes, picturing the fishing spot he'd recently picked out. The last one hadn't yielded much luck, but this one was promising. He and Linus would get there just after dawn, cast out their lines and enjoy a nice breakfast picnic to start the day.

Suddenly Nyko was surprised to see a stranger enter his dream. As the woman got closer he realized that it was the prisoner. She looked at him and his boy, glanced at the fishing poles and smiled warmly at them both.

"Nice day for fishing," she said, taking a seat on the sandy beach. She extended a hand towards the young boy.

"My name's Gabrielle," she said lightly. Linus reached out and shook her hand, smiling.

"I'm Linus, this is my dad," the boy said proudly. "Today is my birthday."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Gabrielle offered. "I hope you have a wonderful birthday."

"Thanks!" the young boy exclaimed. He turned his excited eyes back to his father who stared angrily at the intruder.

"Get out!" Nyko shouted.

Both guards looked at the trembling healer, unsure what they had done to upset him.

"All right, we're done," Antone said hesitantly. Nyko blinked his eyes repeatedly, confused, before turning his attention to the guard. "After you."

Nyko turned an irate glare upon the prisoner before spinning on his heel and storming out of the prison. The guards followed, closing the cell door loudly, leaving Gabrielle to her dreams.

Chapter Nineteen: One Last Night

Xena rode hard the rest of the day and into the night, stopping only briefly when the horse's labored breathing warned against doing otherwise. Not counting her time in the dreamscape, the warrior hadn't slept for a couple days now but she fought the urge to rest. As she rode, though, the rhythmic motions of the horse lulled her into a faint slumber.

One second Xena was on horseback in the dark forest approaching Morpheus's temple, the next she found herself ambling through a glade towards a small pond. Looking into the sky she found it to be just after daybreak. When she reached the shore of the pool, Xena sat on the soft ground and took off her boots. She stuck her feet into the water and closed her eyes. Letting her thoughts drift, she found herself thinking of Gabrielle and a similar pond outside Tripolis. Xena was troubled by the memory.

"Fancy meeting you here," a familiar voice sounded by her ear. Xena opened her eyes swiftly and turned to see Gabrielle sitting there, smiling happily.

"Gabrielle?" Xena said hoarsely.

"So you haven't forgotten my name. That's promising," the bard joked. Matching Xena she removed her boots and placed her feet in the pond, kicking half-heartedly to create ripples.

"Are you really here or am I imagining this?" Xena asked seriously, focusing on the young woman. Gabrielle ceased her water play, placing her hands on the sand behind her and leaning back. She gazed up thoughtfully at her partner's face.

"The eternal question - that's deep. How real is any of this?" the bard spoke serenely.

"Fair enough," Xena said quietly, not knowing quite how to respond. Hesitating for just a moment, she reached out and stroked Gabrielle's cheek, desperate for contact even if this was just a figment of her imagination. "I suppose it wouldn't do any good then to ask what happened after you disappeared earlier."

Gabrielle rested her cheek against Xena's palm, smiling. She tried to think back, see if she could remember what her friend was referring to.

"I'm trying to think? I'm having a hard time focusing," she answered honestly, her brows furrowed in concentration. "That priest did something to me. Some kind of spell."

This was news to Xena and immediately she became more alert. If this was really Gabrielle she was extremely lucky. She hadn't expected to have another chance to see or talk to her until she reached the temple. If she could get some information now, though, that would be extremely helpful.

"What kind of spell?" Xena asked, shifting Gabrielle's gaze to meet her own.

"I don't know." Gabrielle sighed miserably, her eyebrows lifting up in the universal sign of confusion. She pushed herself forward suddenly and put her hands in her lap, fidgeting with the edge of her skirt. "I haven't been able to focus, like I said. I can't stay in any one place too long, I keep getting pulled back and forth. And strangely enough, I think I keep stepping into other people's dreams."

Xena had a hard time understanding what Gabrielle was telling her, so she decided to focus instead on something else.

"Is that it? Did they just put a spell on you or is there something else?"

"I think?." Gabrielle raised her eyes to the sky, as if the answers were written in the clouds. "They're planning on executing me. Today? Tomorrow? I don't remember."

"I won't let them lay a hand on you," Xena said fiercely, needing Gabrielle to believe it even if she wasn't sure. So far Gabrielle's information hadn't helped much. In a sudden rush of emotion, Xena grabbed her friend's hands and raised them to her lips, kissing the knuckles. Gabrielle smiled serenely in return.

"I'm not worried," she whispered in a distinctly happy-go-lucky fashion. Then she chuckled. "Another week, another death threat. I've lost count."

Xena laughed, pulling the young woman close and hugging her tightly. This was one of the things she loved so much about Gabrielle. You couldn't teach that kind of response to danger.

After a few moments they pulled apart, smiling shyly at each other. Gabrielle took this chance to finally examine her surroundings.

"Nice place," she finally said.

"Yeah, it is," Xena admitted.

"You don't seem to sure about that."

"It just reminds me of a mistake I made once."

Gabrielle wrapped an arm around Xena's waist and squeezed her playfully.

"I'm beginning to think there's not a single thing in existence that doesn't trigger such a memory in you," Gabrielle teased, though she was mindful to keep an understanding gaze directed at her friend.

"I always knew you were smart," Xena joked uncomfortably. "You're quite perceptive."

"And you're quite the sweet talker when you want to be."

The two women rested in companionable silence for a while. Eventually Gabrielle decided to lie back on the sand and stare up at the sky. She looked at the clouds overhead, picking out shapes. Before long Xena lie beside her, holding Gabrielle's hand and sharing the view of the sky.

"What do you see?" Xena asked quietly.

Gabrielle took a moment before pointing at a cloud up above.

"That one looks like a chariot."

"I don't see that at all," Xena said, laughing.

"Well then let's hear what you've got," Gabrielle challenged, feigning irritation.

Xena scanned the sky, narrowing her eyes intently. Finally she settled on a cloud formation off towards the horizon. As she pointed she rolled on her side facing Gabrielle, her arm extended across the bard's chest and her body pressing close to the young woman's.

"You can't deny that one there looks like a frying pan," Xena said in a mock serious tone.

Gabrielle followed Xena's direction, looking at the cloud, before scrunching up her face and turning back to look at Xena. When she realized the proximity of the body next to her, Gabrielle's breath caught for a moment and she lost the disapproving look she intended to give the warrior. Instead all she could do was shake her head reproachfully.

"What?" Xena said quietly, keeping all her focus on the woman just inches away now.

"You're just really bad at this game," Gabrielle replied timidly, shaking her head again to emphasize the point.

"I'd say that depends on what game we're playing," the warrior offered seductively.

"You could be right." Gabrielle held Xena's gaze steadily. Hesitantly she reached up and traced the warrior's chin with her fingertips.

As much as Xena wanted to lean forward and kiss the woman before her, the memories this place provoked kept her from doing just that. After a moment she sat up, breaking the connection she and Gabrielle had been sharing up until then. Unable to hide her disappointment, the bard sat up and reached out wordlessly to her friend.

"You weren't going to ask about the mistake I mentioned before?" Xena asked distantly.

"Should I?" Gabrielle responded slowly. "I figured you would tell me if that's what you wanted."

"Even if it involves you?" Xena pressed.

Gabrielle looked around her. "This place doesn't seem familiar to me."

"If I mention Tripolis what does that remind you of?" Xena asked.

Gabrielle thought back, finding the distant past easier to remember than the questions regarding more recent occurrences. She wondered why that was.

"It reminds me that I seem to have the worst luck, hurting my ankle then getting shot by that arrow," Gabrielle reminisced. "But having you around, I'd say overall I was very lucky. You fought off the Persians and saved me."

"What do you remember after that?"

Gabrielle thought harder and again the cloudiness of her memory resurfaced. "Not much," she admitted.

"The next day you were so weak, and even with the antidote you were burning up. I had to do something so I brought you to a nearby pond to cool off."

Gabrielle shrugged, not able to recall any of it.

"I needed to bring your fever down quickly, so I carried you into the water. I held you there until your fever broke." Xena paused, unwilling to continue. Knowing that she had to, however, she turned her guilty eyes away from Gabrielle as she resumed her speech. "Afterwards we both lie on the blanket on the shore. Feeling you next to me, reliving the horror of almost losing you, I couldn't stop myself?"

Gabrielle closed her eyes. Hearing Xena's words reawakened a part of her memory that had lain dormant for years, considered a wishful fantasy and therefore unworthy of recollection.

"I remember?" the bard finally said.

"You do?" Xena asked, surprised.

"I thought I was dreaming," Gabrielle answered simply. "I thought it was an after effect from the poison. You never said anything so I assumed?"
Both women were lost for several moments in their memories, remembering the gentle caresses of their love-making and the whispered promises they had made. Finally Xena couldn't stand the guilt any longer.

"I'm sorry, Gabrielle. I took advantage of you and then I lied?"

"Xena," Gabrielle interrupted quietly. She reached out and laid a consoling hand on her friend's arm as she struggled to find the right words to voice her thoughts. "I won't pretend you handled things the best way, but that was a long time ago. We're past that now."

"How can you say that? So much of our life together has been shaped by lies and mistakes. If I had just done things differently?"

"We both made mistakes," Gabrielle insisted calmly. "What matters is now."

"Our present is shaped by the past," the warrior asserted.

"Yes, but with one difference. We can't change the past, but we have the power to shape our future."

Xena stared deeply into her friend's caring eyes, overwhelmed. Before she had thought it would be easy to resume the relationship they both desired, but now having had time to think and talk about everything she wasn't so sure. As far as she was concerned, her mistakes were unforgivable. Her treatment of Gabrielle was uncalled for. This special woman deserved so much better.

"I've hurt you so much," Xena admitted emotionally.

"We both have," Gabrielle said again, needing the warrior to believe it.

"Just stop!" Xena cried loudly. "I forgave you a long time ago. You're talking about a time long past, but my mistakes are new. It wasn't so long ago that I hurt you."

Gabrielle clasped both of Xena's hands in her own and moved to face the warrior. Her face just inches from her friend's, she looked into her friend's eyes with conviction.

"And I forgive you," Gabrielle told her. She raised their hands to her chest, holding them close. "You know I was angry with you. I was hurt, and all I could think about were the bad times. But even when things were at their worst, we had our moments. Do you really think if things had been that horrible I would have stayed?"

"Sometimes I wondered," Xena admitted sadly. "With that vision of the future we had in India, knowing that our souls are connected, maybe we never had a choice."

"You're wrong," Gabrielle countered confidently. "We've always had a choice, and I chose you."

Xena looked into her friend's green eyes, desperate to believe. She was torn between the hope Gabrielle's words gave her and the fear that still resided in her heart.

"Xena, ever since Eli brought us back things have been different. We both know that; we drifted apart, it's natural. But there were still times when I remembered how things used to be and it felt like old times. There were times when you and Eve and me? it just felt right."

Grateful, Xena smiled at her friend and pulled her into a hug.

"I don't know how I got so lucky," the warrior said candidly as tears began to fall. "I love you."

"I always knew deep inside you were just a sappy romantic. Deep, deep inside?" Gabrielle teased, pulling back slightly so she could wipe the tears from Xena's cheeks. Then, more seriously, she added, "I love you too."

The two women smiled serenely at each other, comforted by their nearness. Suddenly Gabrielle was jolted and she immediately pressed both her hands to her now painful abdomen. As Xena watched in horror a nasty cut opened up on the side of her friend's face.

"I think it's time," Gabrielle commented through gritted teeth.

"I'm coming Gabrielle. Be strong."

"I'll wait for you," the bard promised before vanishing.

Anguished, Xena forced herself to wake.

Chapter Twenty: The Execution

Xena awoke to find the sun rising, signaling the start of a new day. Bringing her horse to a stop, it took her several moments to realize where she was. Up ahead she could see the tree-line breaking and she dismounted from her exhausted steed, walking cautiously to the edge. She stood on a high cliff overlooking the valley of the temple of Morpheus. Below her were over a thousand soldiers wearing the distinctive armor of the temple armies.

In the dim morning light Xena examined the field below her, noting the layout of the enemy camp and its fortifications. Unfortunately for her, the natural surroundings provided an excellent defense for the army, leaving only one steep slope into the area. The pass was well-guarded, and even managing to get through she would have had the majority of the soldiers between her and her objective.

At the center of the valley stood the dark stone temple, its walls seeming to absorb all the light that passed its way. Located approximately fifty meters from the temple, before the army, was a large wooden stage which currently was a center of activity. Soldiers surrounded the area at regular intervals, and upon the platform Xena could make out several men dressed in priestly robes performing some kind of preparations. She could only assume that, before long, Gabrielle would be brought there for the execution.

Now Xena just had to focus on finding a way to get near the stage. There was no way she could fight her way through the entire army, and the environment was such that it would be impossible to sneak through the lines. Her options were limited and her time even more so.

Xena quickly decided on a course of action and began to move along the ridge towards the steep pass into the valley. From her vantage point she could see most of the security and learn their patterns and protocols. She studied it as best she could while she crept along. Soon after she reached the slope and looked down, hoping to find some kind of cover along the way. She was disappointed to find all the trees down the hill had been cut.

Xena wished she had arrived earlier before the sun had begun its ascent, but she quickly banished the negative thought from her mind knowing there was nothing she could have done about it. Xena was however thankful that it was at least early enough that there were still deep shadows along the cliffs. Silently she took to the shade and began her climb down into the valley.

Xena moved as quickly as she dared, keeping one hand pressed against the rock face at all times. All her senses were on alert, her eyes scanning the slope before her. After several minutes Xena had to halt her progress, alerted by a sound in the near distance. She paused, trying to discern the cause of the disturbance before she came upon it. A couple seconds later she had her chakram out and she stealthily crept forward, keeping to the darkest of the shadows.

Though it was just moments it felt like an eternity to Xena before she saw the patrol ahead of her. Two men stood at attention, their eyes scanning the hill that rose up above them. They kept their spears at the ready, shields held protectively before them. Xena felt another pair of eyes, however, and she continued to search the area nearby. Finally she was able to make out a small cavity in the rock wall opposite her. It was approximately two meters above the ground, the entrance barely three hand spans wide, but in the darkness Xena could make out the vigilant form of an archer.

Xena considered the positions of the three men, their place midway down the slope to the valley. She glanced past the men on the ground, looking for further reinforcements, but she was pleased to find none within eyesight. She calculated the angles for a moment more before she drew her arm back and released her chakram.

The men on the ground saw the shiny object fly across the narrow pass but were too surprised and confused to recognize it for what it was. The weapon struck the archer in the cave first before rebounding and hitting the two men below. The entire exercise took less than ten seconds, eliminating the threat the three soldiers posed. Xena caught the chakram as it bounced back towards her and she waited another couple seconds to make sure no alarm was sounded.

Within minutes Xena was walking confidently down the slope, dressed in the armor of one of the temple soldiers. She had dragged the men's bodies to the shadows the cliffs provided, but she knew that would not last long. If she was lucky she had a half hour before they were visible in the sunlight, and she just had to pray that no more soldiers came down the hill anytime soon. Right now she had to distance herself as much as possible from the spot and hopefully she would be able to blend into the army below. After that she could get close to the temple and then figure out the rest of her plan.

Eventually Xena reached the bottom of the pass where the rest of the army awaited. She was silently thrilled to make it to this point without an alarm going off behind her. The line of guards that waited at the bottom of the pass looked her over, causing Xena to worry for a moment that she would be stopped and questioned. After a few tense seconds the line parted, the men saluting as she passed by. Beneath her helmet Xena smiled at her luck.

The warrior picked her way through the war camp, doing her best to appear both nonchalant but with a purpose. All around her was a flurry of movement as the men prepared themselves for the activities of the day. Xena was momentarily wistful, remembering the many years she had spent in similar conditions, the camaraderie of an army. Right now, though, there was only one person whose presence could lift the veil of loneliness she'd had for so long. Among a legion of men, only Gabrielle mattered.

As Xena passed by one of the mess tents she picked out pieces of a conversation that caused her to pause. She stopped near the canvas wall of the tent, pretending to fix her armor, as she listened.

"The captain says she's oblivious. He kicked her across the room and she had no idea what was happening. He'd have killed her right then if the old priest hadn't stopped him," one man said, laughing.

"You know how the religious types are. They love their shows," another, deeper voice chimed in. "He probably had a hard on all night just thinking about the attention he'll get today for offing the gal."

"Don't know how impressive it'll be if she's too insane to notice," the first man replied.

"Even if you are barking mad I'd assume a knife in the chest would get some kind of response."
"I guess we'll find out soon enough. You know Erastes has a pool going - what do you wager, will the priest make it quick or slow?"

"Like I said, priests love attention. He'll drag it out as long as he can."

"You want to make a bet?"

"Idiot, we don't have any money?"

"True enough," the first man sighed, exasperated.

Xena finished adjusting her gauntlets and resumed her trek across the camp. Whereas before she had been too concerned with devising a plan to think about Gabrielle's condition, now she was burning with anger. Not only had something been done to her mind, but to hear about the treatment she had received from one of the soldiers while incapacitated, Xena seethed. If anything happened to Gabrielle, she didn't care how long or what it took - she would kill every last man in this camp.

Now she had also found a new problem in her plan. Even if she was able to save Gabrielle physically, Xena had to figure out what had been done to her friend's psyche and find a way to fix it. She couldn't just run in, swords blazing, and carry her out. Everything was so complicated; without thinking, Xena curled her hands into fists repetitively.

When Xena was almost to the temple she was stopped by the sounds of loud trumpeting calling the soldiers to attention. For a second she thought about continuing forward but the quick movements of all the men to their lines and the spearmen blocking her way forward gave her pause. At that moment the large wooden doors of the temple were thrown open and Xena was transfixed by the emerging sight of her friend.

Gabrielle was surrounded by a sizeable contingent of soldiers, two of which half-carried her down the short steps of the temple before dragging her along the dirt path towards the stage. The young woman seemed completely unaware of her surroundings, her head lolling to the side and her eyes staring ahead blankly. She seemed to be someplace else entirely, though to Xena it appeared her friend was saying something to one of the guards. The man kept shooting her dark, nervous looks.

At this distance Xena could still see evidence of Gabrielle's mistreatment and she felt her blood boil. The head wound she had seen in her dream was real and even more disturbing in reality, having obviously been left untreated. There didn't appear to be any part of her friend's body without a bruise, the worst of which was obviously on her stomach. Xena could vaguely make out the marks on Gabrielle's neck and wrists and she wanted to cry out in rage at the sight.

Xena knew that in Gabrielle's condition she was vulnerable; even if she managed to fight her way over to the bard right now she wouldn't be able to protect the woman and fend off the soldiers. Xena stole a glance at the lines of soldiers watching the procession with interest and decided for now, it was best to blend in. She found a place to join the ranks towards the front so she could be ready to move at the first opportunity.

Gabrielle kept drifting between worlds, feeling as through she were floating. She was vaguely aware of hands on her arms and the feel of her toes being dragged through soft dirt, though a number of other visions continually flashed before her eyes. She saw different people and places - she saw men with their families sitting around the fireplace, vast vineyards, the endless horizon of the sea, playing dice in taverns, bodies coming together in the dark. Each image mutated into a dark nightmarish version before it was replaced by another unfamiliar sight. Her head was swimming from the endless assault as she unconsciously peered into the minds of many of the men awaiting her execution.

As one of the images flashed into her mind she was taken aback. It was the sight of herself, sitting quietly in the darkness working on a scroll, flickering orange light from the fire her only illumination. Then her doppelganger looked up and caught her gaze; Gabrielle was transfixed. She tried as hard as she could to hold onto this vision, feeling the intimate presence of her partner through it. Under her breath she whispered Xena's name; immediately she felt a light tickle on the back of her neck in response. Closing her eyes, she tried to communicate with her friend and maintain her tenuous grasp on this reality.

Xena felt as though some voice was quietly whispering in her ear and she looked up in amazement, focusing on Gabrielle's ethereal presence. She closed her eyes and tried to reach out with her mind, desperate to provide comfort and contact to her friend.

"Xena?" Gabrielle called out loud, feeling her friend nearby. Rough hands jerked her up and she lost the contact, instead being brought to a darker place. No longer could she feel the dirt beneath her feet. Instead it was replaced by the feeling of firm wooden planks, the slight creaks of the lumber sounding like cracks of thunder to her ears.

"Now whose head is she in?" one of the nearby soldiers commented, annoyed.

"Where am I?" Gabrielle asked, only vaguely aware of the murmuring voices around her. Everything around her was a blur.

"It seems the guest of honor is a little confused," one man said, causing an eruption of laughter around her.

"This is your execution," Makis answered the woman quietly from his spot holding her right arm. As angry as he had been to have his daydream invaded before, the more he thought about it the more he felt pity for the prisoner. Obviously she wasn't meaning to intrude - from his proximity leading her up from the prison he could see that the more people she was around, the more off kilter she became. It was as though everyone had a hand in assaulting her just through the power of their thoughts. He hoped to offer her what little solace he could before she died; he was pleased to see that she seemed to recognize his words and briefly focus her attention on him.

"Execution?" she muttered, out of breath.

"Yes, you're before Morpheus's army now. It'll be over soon," he said softly.

"Morpheus?" she asked, confused. She knew that there was something she needed to remember now, but what it was seemed just outside her grasp. She felt herself slipping back into the recesses of her mind as she tried to think, and she struggled to fight it.

Makis and Antone had now led the prisoner to the spot of her execution. Dropping Gabrielle to her knees, they bound her hands to a short wooden podium before stepping to the back of the stage and joining the rest of the guard. All eyes were now on Manus, head priest of Morpheus, as he strode confidently from the side of the platform to take up his place by the prisoner. Right behind him followed the executioner armed with a silver halberd. The two men flanked the prisoner before Manus stepped forward to address the troops, his hands raised in a gesture of quiet power.

"Today we are about to witness the death of a traitor to not only our nation, but to mankind itself. This woman you see here was involved in the massacre of the gods, an unforgivable act - treason of the highest caliber against humanity. As each of you has pledged your body and soul to the gods, this honorable execution will serve not only as an act of justice for our fallen masters, but also as a warning to all of our brothers and sisters who turned from their rightful lords. This woman's head will adorn our battlements as a sign to all men, but it will just be the first of many. Our crusade is a just one, blessed by Morpheus. Be proud of your place in his army."

After finishing his speech to the troops, Manus turned and gazed upon his chained prisoner. She seemed relaxed and unaware of his scrutiny, though her body occasionally betrayed her anxiety by seizing slightly, the only outward signs of the mental assault she was enduring. The priest considered his options for a moment. Finally he decided she would make a better example to the troops if she was sentient enough to show fear. He pushed back the long sleeves of his robe and reached forward. He placed a hand on her forehead, beginning a low chant and feeling the power course through his body. After several moments he felt a radiant heat course between his palm and the woman's head; immediately she gasped out loud and he saw her eyes refocus, rising to meet his own. He grinned evilly at her.

Gabrielle immediately tensed her shoulders upon realizing where she was and tried to move away. She was only able to move her arms a few inches before they jerked to a stop, caught by the strong iron manacles on her wrists. Gabrielle tore her eyes away from the priest and looked around her, seeing the vast army intently watching her and the hooded executioner by her side. She stifled a fearful cry in her throat and tried to focus on her situation.

Gabrielle had no idea how she had gotten here and the shock made it difficult for her to think. She closed her eyes, wondering if she would feel pain as the blade passed through her neck. She hadn't expected things to get to this point; she had faith that Xena would get to her in time. She tried to focus on happy memories of her friend. If she was going to leave this world, she wanted to be at peace when it happened. Silently she called out to Xena, hoping to convey the love she felt with her spirit.

Gabrielle's eyes opened wide, suddenly remembering a conversation she'd had with the warrior when she was in her dreamscape. As the executioner raised the weapon above his head, Gabrielle grimaced and pulled back from the podium as much as she could. She crooked her neck so she could face up towards the sky and screamed forcefully, causing many of the soldiers to quiver in their places.

"Morpheus!" Gabrielle shouted, full of rage. "You're pathetic! You don't even have the courage to kill me yourself! Face me you coward!"

The executioner halted, his eyes darting to Manus for instruction, keeping the blade above his head in confusion. Throughout the ranks, soldiers looked around nervously. They shifted on their feet uncomfortably, waiting to see if anything happened.

Manus, meanwhile, curled his hands in anger. His eyes full of rage, he focused on the woman kneeling before him.

"Our god does not answer to treacherous mortals!" he shouted at her. Then, turning his attention to the executioner he ordered, "Kill her!"

"That's some god you're following; too afraid to face me!" Gabrielle said loudly, directing her words towards the soldiers who now were really uneasy.

Before anyone could react there was a red flash of light between Gabrielle and the executioner. The hooded man stepped back, terrified, as the god of dreams fixed a frightening look upon the chained prisoner.

Gabrielle looked at Morpheus, never having seen this particular god before. Taking him in, she realized that she would have been quite content to keep it that way. Most of the gods she had seen took the same form as mortals, but there were a few that were the embodiment of all the dark power they possessed. The god of dreams was hairless, his skin ashen and drawn taut to his bony frame. He was draped in a flowing black robe that, while dark as night, could not match the dimness of his eyes. It would have been easy, looking into the void of his stare, to go mad; his gaze seemed to swallow a person whole until nothing existed beyond the blackness.

Morpheus reached out with long, thin fingers and grabbed Gabrielle by the throat. He tightened his grip, choking her, as he moved in closer until his face was only inches from hers. Trembling and struggling for air, Gabrielle tried as best she could not to let her fear show.

"You will be sorry you called me here," the god promised her, his tone low and threatening. Just the raspy, menacing sound of his voice was enough to cause the soldiers standing nearby to quake in their boots. "Your death would have been quick, but I'll take pleasure in torturing you. I'll enjoy hearing you beg for mercy."

To prove his point the god began to lick his gray lips with a blackened tongue. Gabrielle felt a rising hopelessness and failed to stifle a moan. As she began to draw deeper into the recesses of her mind she dimly heard a whining noise; immediately she felt the grip on her throat loosen and she was brought back to reality. The god stared blankly at her; Gabrielle then noticed a thin trail of blood start to drip from the corner of his mouth. Within moments, Morpheus slumped forward and hit the stage before her. Gabrielle then noticed the chakram buried deep in the god's back and she smiled brightly, her eyes beginning to cloud with tears of joy.

While her vision was blurred, Gabrielle heard Xena's war cry from a short distance away. Soon the sounds of swords clanging alerted the bard to the battle now raging around her friend.

"What are you waiting for? Kill her!" Manus said just a couple feet away, having crossed over to stand beside the executioner. The hooded man remained still, his fearful gaze settled on the dead god nearby. After a moment the priest sighed angrily and drew a dagger from his belt, driving it deep into the man's chest. With a loud thud the man dropped his weapon and fell to the ground, dead. Turning his attention to the prisoner before him, Manus pointed his short blade at the woman, neglecting the steady trickle of blood that fell from his weapon to the wooden stage.

"Looks like I'll have to take care of you myself," the priest intoned, obviously pleased at the prospect. He stepped forward and raised the dagger, intending to fulfill his promise.

Gabrielle did the only thing she could think to do and kicked her bent leg back at the man. She could hear the crack as her foot connected with his knee, breaking the joint and causing him to shout in pain. He dropped to the planks, seething with rage. Gabrielle kicked again, this time hitting him in the wrist; he lost his grip on the dagger and it flew across the stage, out of reach.

"You can't escape your destiny!" he growled at Gabrielle before lunging forward. He landed heavily atop Gabrielle, pressing her into the podium and knocking the breath out of her. Surprised, her head snapped forward and hit the wooden surface. She could taste the blood as her teeth bit into her tongue. Before she could react the priest reached around and wrapped an arm around her neck, beginning to choke her.

Gabrielle tried futilely to free herself from his grasp but quickly realized that she was trapped. She started to feel light-headed as he yanked hard on her neck, pulling her back painfully and continuing to cut off her air supply. Through the darkening mist clouding her vision, Gabrielle looked around desperately for a way out and her eyes settled on the chakram embedded in Morpheus's body. Using all the strength left in her body she tried to move forward against the powerful hold the priest had on her. Her fingers inched forward along the dead god's body, reaching vainly for the weapon just barely out of her reach. She tightened her fingers around the black robe and pulled, trying to drag the body towards her. She was rewarded for her effort by gaining the scant distance she needed. Reaching forward again she wrapped her fingers around the cold steel of the chakram and yanked it free of the god's back.

Gabrielle quickly curved her wrist around, using the sharp blade to cut her hand free from the chain. Her right arm now free, Gabrielle tightened her grip on the chakram and brought it over her head, bending her arm and landing a deep blow to the priest's shoulder. He screamed loudly in her ear and she could feel his blood begin to flow down her back; unconsciously he released his hold on her neck. Gabrielle then pulled her arm around to elbow the man in the chest, pushing him back several paces and freeing her from his clutches.

Gabrielle quickly cut the other manacle holding her down and jumped over the podium, putting it between her and the enraged priest. Turning to face the man she saw him clutching at the laceration in his shoulder, gasping loudly. His attention was no longer on her. The rest of the soldiers on the stage looked fearfully between Manus and Gabrielle, unsure what to do. Instead all the men remained frozen in place. Gabrielle used the opportunity to turn and look out upon the army in front of the stage, searching for Xena.

For her part Xena was fighting off the advances of the army as best she could. The ground was already littered with bodies for several paces. Xena was losing ground, though, being pushed back by the immense numbers. With each backwards step she took she was closer to being trapped against a short stone wall in front of the temple. She was close to running out of room and time when a loud voice brought a halt to all the fighting.

"Stop! Throw down your weapons!" Gabrielle commanded with authority. She stood on top of the podium facing the troops, her eyes scanning the field. To the men she seemed a fearsome specter - standing above the dead body of a god, clutching the bloody weapon that killed him in her hand, her aura was imposing.

Xena watched as all the men facing her looked hesitantly between her and Gabrielle, unsure of their next move. None made a move to attack her, but she remained alert.

"Is this really what you want?" Gabrielle continued to shout, her voice carrying powerfully throughout the ranks. "Think about what you're fighting for, why you're here."

The soldiers relaxed slightly, still holding onto their weapons, as they turned from Xena and focused on Gabrielle. Xena watched in amazement.

"I've seen your dreams! You have families, people that you love, homes that you miss. Fear of the gods took you from them, but you can change that now," Gabrielle spoke firmly. Pointing to the still body of Morpheus before her, she continued. "The time of the Olympians has passed; no longer will their reign of terror pull you from your true way. Don't let fear keep you from your dreams anymore, make them your reality. The future is in your hands. You can choose to fight and die here for a lost cause, or you can follow your heart. What's it going to be?"

The soldiers looked around at each other, their eyes wide with questions. Some looked at the weapons in their hands before again looking at the blood-splattered woman standing above. After several long moments that seemed to last an eternity, Xena heard the ringing sound of a sword being thrown down. Another moment and it was repeated. More and more men threw down their weapons until Xena was faced with a field of unarmed, confused men.

Stunned, Xena looked back towards her partner, grateful for the young woman's immense spirit and way with words. It was then that the warrior noticed movement behind Gabrielle and felt the hair stand up on the back of her neck. She began to run forward fearfully, shouting loudly at her friend. Without thinking she reached towards her belt where her chakram usually hung before realizing that she no longer had the weapon. Too far away for her to stop him, Manus approached Gabrielle from behind, a dagger held high above his head, ready to strike. Gabrielle seemed dazed and completely unaware of the danger.

Just as the priest was about to plunge the blade into Gabrielle's back, there was a blur behind him and he stopped, frozen in place. Gabrielle turned to look, surprised. As everyone watched, the priest slumped to his knees and fell forward, revealing a spear shaft buried in his back. The priest twitched for a few seconds before, with an enormous shudder, he let out his last breath.

Gabrielle looked up from the dead priest to see the prison guard Makis standing tensely, still in his throwing stance. The rest of the soldiers on the platform looked between their colleague, the priest and Gabrielle. After a moment they joined their comrades in the field by throwing down their weapons. Gabrielle smiled and nodded her thanks to the man who saved her life. He returned her nod before turning and leaving the stage. The spell broken, men everywhere began to disperse, ready to return to their old lives and leave this place of fear and death.

Gabrielle glanced one last time at the three bodies surrounding her before turning and raising her eyes to look out over the field. While most of the people were moving in the opposite direction, heading out of the valley and towards their distant homes, one lone soul walked towards her. Gabrielle shyly smiled at the sight before hopping off the stage and beginning her trek towards the warrior.

The two women moved slowly but intently, their eyes never leaving each other. Soon they met up in the midst of the emptying war camp and came to a stop, keeping a couple paces of distance between them. They merely looked at each other, suddenly timid, and they stood in silence for several long moments.

Gabrielle finally broke the stalemate by lifting her hand, offering the chakram back to her friend. Xena took it silently with one hand, placing it back on her belt, while she reached out with her other hand and grasped Gabrielle's fingers. She felt a sudden rush of emotion at the touch. On the verge of an emotional collapse, she finally found her voice.

"Please don't leave me again. I've got you now and I don't want to let go," Xena begged, her voice cracking.

"I won't," Gabrielle promised quietly, clenching her fingers tightly around Xena's hand to show her resolve.

Xena stared again at her friend, their eyes locking in an intense gaze. So many words rushed through her head, things she'd held in for so long and desperately wanted to tell her companion. Overwhelmed, she finally settled on the only words that could adequately express it all.

"I love you," she said plainly.

"I love you," Gabrielle whispered.

Everything else melted away at that moment and they came together in a passionate embrace. Tangling her fingers in soft blond hair, Xena lowered her head and pressed her lips to Gabrielle's. For a short, glorious time, nothing existed for them outside each other and the promises their kiss entailed.

Chapter Twenty-One: Epilogue

It had been one week since Xena and Gabrielle left the field outside Morpheus's temple, intending to reunite with Eve. They traveled slowly, taking time to allow their physical wounds to heal but also giving themselves the space to explore their new relationship with all the attention it deserved. The new levels of intimacy they'd reached touched them both profoundly.

Xena took great delight in finally allowing herself to be as open and loving as she had yearned for. The pleasure she took from simple kisses was beyond her imagining. She was as happy and playful as a child, which she figured was in a way appropriately symbolic for the beginning of a new life.

Gabrielle was at times overwhelmed by such small gestures of affection that she found herself more than once at a loss for words. As fulfilling as it was to finally physically express her love, she usually found herself unable to speak in the mornings. Waking up in Xena's arms, feeling smooth skin pressed against hers, the gentle way the warrior would caress the back of her neck to bring her back to wakefulness - these sensations caused an overload in which her heart often felt as though it would burst from her chest.

Even the normal things they had done before seemed new and exciting now. Their light banter as they traveled, the teasing, the games - it all seemed different somehow. Then the times they would walk in silence, just holding hands - before Gabrielle had always felt a slight unease when they weren't speaking, imagining some sort of wall going up between them. Now, however, it just felt comfortable and right, as though everything that needed to be said between them had been addressed.

Each night when they set up camp they delighted in their new bedtime rituals. They always seemed to be touching each other, throughout setting up the campfire to cooking and eating dinner. Then they would curl up together and begin their explorations of each other's bodies as though it were the first time all over again. Slowly undressing each other, tracing their bodies with both eyes and fingertips, gentle kisses turning into hungry, passionate power plays. When it was all over and they were sated they would hold each other close, staring up into the night sky and murmuring softly to each other until they would finally fall asleep.

After a week of travel they were finally arriving in Methone, a small coastal city north of Mount Olympus. They had gone back to Aphrodite's temple to find out where Eve had gone and been directed to this place. As they moved through the winding streets towards the dock area, Xena tightened her grip on Gabrielle's hand for reassurance.

The closer they had gotten to finding Xena's daughter, Gabrielle had become more and more sullen and worried. Having learned in her dreamscape the extent of her role in Eve's near death experience with the Olympians, Gabrielle felt a rising fear and guilt at the prospect of facing the young woman. Xena had done her best to explain what had really happened - apologizing profusely for her instantaneous reaction that had nearly killed Gabrielle - but the bard still felt ashamed, regardless of the furies involvement. Now that the local inn was in sight, she desperately wished for more time so she could figure out how to approach Eve.

As the two women reached the door to the inn, Gabrielle suddenly stopped causing Xena to stop with her. The warrior turned to face her friend, reaching out to take both of the bard's hands in her own. She met Gabrielle's apprehensive eyes with a loving gaze of her own, trying through sheer willpower to impart some confidence into the woman.

"Gabrielle, it'll be fine, I promise," Xena said quietly. "Nobody blames you for what happened. Eve was worried sick when you disappeared, she'll just be happy to see you."

Gabrielle tried to muster a confident smile for her friend but failed miserably. Xena leaned forward and kissed the bard softly on the lips.

"Trust me." the warrior spoke tenderly. Gabrielle hesitated a second, then nodded. Xena wrapped one arm protectively around her friend's waist while she reached out and pushed the door open. They stepped inside and took a moment to let their eyes adjust to the dark room.

"Mother!"

They heard the voice before seeing the young woman. Within seconds Eve had flung herself into her Xena's embrace. The warrior pulled her arm from around Gabrielle so she could hug her daughter back. Gabrielle felt uneasy again, missing the steadying influence of Xena's touch.

A couple seconds later Eve pulled back and glanced at Gabrielle, smiling brightly. She withdrew from her mother's arms and immediately pulled the bard into a strong hug, shocking Gabrielle and momentarily pushing the air out of her lungs.

"Gabrielle, I'm so glad you're okay," Eve said warmly into the bard's ear. It took a second for Gabrielle to relax, but when she did she wrapped her arms around Eve and hugged back. Xena smiled at the sight.

A few minutes later the three women sat at a table along the back wall, smiling, laughing and talking about the events of the past week. Eve couldn't help but notice the devoted glances and lingering touches between her mother and Gabrielle, and she smiled, glad to see that something good had come from such a difficult situation. When her mother excused herself to get some drinks from the bar Eve offered to help.

While Xena waited for the barkeep to return with her order, Eve stared at her mother with a wide grin on her face. With a sigh, Xena finally turned her attention to her daughter, perplexed.

"What?" she demanded. Eve just smiled serenely in response.

"Things are better between you two now," the young woman offered cryptically.

Xena nodded, fighting to keep from blushing.

"Yes they are," she said shyly.

"And you're happy," Eve said, serious now.

Xena considered her reply before offering a content smile.

"More than I ever thought possible."

"Good," Eve said softly. "I'm happy for you and Gabrielle."

"Thanks," Xena whispered, overwhelmed.

Luckily for the warrior the barkeep chose that moment to return with the drinks and she and Eve carried them over to the table. After setting the mugs on the table they retook their seats. The women glanced at Gabrielle before looking at each other and sharing a private smile.

"Okay, you two are up to something. I don't like it," Gabrielle said, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

Eve laughed before standing back up.

"While I remember I'm going to talk to the innkeeper about getting you two a room," she said before heading back towards the bar.

"She's acting weird," Gabrielle commented.

"She knows about us," Xena replied as an answer.

"Oh," Gabrielle said, blushing. She picked up her drink and stared into its depths, trying desperately to keep an outward appearance of serenity.

Xena placed her hand on the small of Gabrielle's back and leaned in, giving the bard a quick kiss. She smiled at the flustered woman.

"She's happy for us," the warrior offered.

Gabrielle smiled, suddenly feeling for the first time as though part of a family with Xena. It filled her with a profound joy she hadn't expected to feel. She felt warm tears begin to form in her eyes, and she laughed at her absurd response to the situation.

Noticing her friend's watery eyes, Xena wrapped her arms around Gabrielle, pulling her tight and resting her chin on top of the bard's head. She felt the young woman's arms wrap around her waist and felt a sudden rush of satisfaction with her life.

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return ," Xena whispered to herself.

Gabrielle pulled back slightly, looking up in astonishment at her friend.

"What did I say? You're just a big, romantic softy," she teased. "Looks like we're a two poet family now."

Xena shook her head vigorously before leaning forward to whisper conspiratorially in Gabrielle's ear.

"I'll leave the poetry to you. I consider myself a woman of action."

"Oh, really?" Gabrielle chuckled.

"Yes, and I plan on proving it to you tonight, and every other night for the rest of our lives, if you'll let me," Xena said seductively.

Gabrielle stared into her friend's eyes, transfixed.

"You've got yourself a deal," Gabrielle replied, her throat suddenly dry. "What do you say we seal it with a kiss?"

"Done," Xena whispered before leaning in and planting a tender kiss on her partner's lips. This is the best deal I've ever made, she thought to herself, as she became lost in the touch. Without a doubt.

THE END

Any constructive comments (no flames) can be sent to the author at nitehawksm@yahoo.com

1. "Dreaming With A Broken Heart" (John Mayer � 2006, Continuum, Sony)
2. "I'd Rather Be In Love" (Michelle Branch � 2001, The Spirit Room, Maverick)
3. "Wildflower" (Sheryl Crow � 2005, Wildflower, A & M Records)
4. "Nature Boy" (Words & Music by Eden Ahbez, 1947)