Subtext: Oh this is my fav disclaimer, yes there's subtext. Mark the calendars if I don't ever do a subtext story!
Foul Language: Yup, I'll say this contains some cussing but nothing too bad.
Copyright: Xena and Gabrielle are owned by good old RenPics and company. Or do the fans really own them anymore?
Time Frame: Let's see, this is a Uber! Isn't that scary coming from me? Well, its half of a real Uber, taking baby steps.
Started: January 1st 2001, Monday
Mini-Series Two: Today's Partner's of Destiny Story: One
If anybody has comments about my story please let me know at:
Section Two
~*Part 3*~
A soft moan escaped her lips, from the large hand rubbing her back. "That's real nice."
Xena kissed her lover's forehead. "Good." She shifted a little on the leather sofa, her still hot, nude body sticking to the soft leather.
Gabrielle lifted her head off her friend's chest. She shook her head.
Xena corked an eyebrow. "What?"
"I am gay," she stated loudly. "Oh my god." She laughed and dropped her head back on the other woman's chest.
The older woman laughed quietly and said, "I wouldn't say that… you just prefer good sex."
"That's an understatement." The small woman kissed her lover's chest. "I don't know how I'll hide this from Peter." Then it clicked in with her. "Oh crap, I need to get back." She head whipped up.
"Damn, I forgot too." Xena groaned and released the writer. "Be careful what you say," she whispered.
The younger woman searched worried blue eyes. "What are we doing?" She was completely confused at this point.
"I don't know," whispered Xena, "just get home and we'll figure this out later."
Gabrielle nodded, not sure what else to do. She kissed Xena as long as she could. At the end of the kiss, she smiled and uttered, "I love you," sincerely.
The older woman's breath caught, she started sitting up. "Come on, we gotta get you moving."
"Right, right." The writer got off her lover and found her clothes. She hastily changed into them.
The darker woman slipped into her underwear, jeans, then she put her bra on. Before she could put her fleece sweater on, she found her lips claimed again by Gabrielle. She was more intoxicated by this small woman than she had planned and it was becoming strong with each glance she received and gave. "Come on, Gabrielle," she warned at the end of the kiss. She pulled her sweater on.
The small woman slipped into her black boots and headed towards the door. "That was a good movie."
Xena laughed while she followed behind. "Rrrright."
"I can't wait to see the next one." The writer grabbed her jacket and put it on.
"Just worry about keeping this on the low, low." The tall woman grasped her friend's shoulders. "I'm serious," she whispered.
The writer turned her head faintly. "What?" She started shaking her head. "What is it?"
Xena released a sigh and lowered her head. "It's a real long story." She paused. "My dark shadow follows me everywhere I go." She kissed her lover once more. "Be careful."
"I will… you better start explaining soon."
"Later huh?" Xena opened the door. "You need to get back to Peter."
"Wonderful," grumbled the writer. She went out of the door but glanced back. "Goodnight, Xena."
"Goodnight, Gabrielle."
Gabrielle got into her car and drove back home. Fortunately, she found that Peter hadn't returned, so she simply crawled into bed. Within a half-hour, Peter returned with good news of a nice dinner. Gabrielle returned her results of a nice dinner as well. Afterwards, the couple was quiet and the officer went to bed beside his girlfriend. He fell asleep pretty soon, however it took Gabrielle longer.
The Following Day…
Xena arched her back up in the car seat. She lifted her shirt and carefully slid the shining revolver down the front of her pants. She pulled her shirt back over and got out of the car. After the passenger door opened, Xena pulled out her black, leather trench coat. She put it on and turned around.
The tall woman strolled into the open door of a warehouse.
A heavyset man stood by the door. He watched Xena enter and go up the set of steps to a small office.
The dark woman entered into the office and smiled evilly at the old man behind the desk. "Howdy, Mr. Cross. How are ya?"
Mr. Cross stood up and held a hand out. "Quite well." He smiled roughly. "You must be the famed Xena."
"I am."
"Have a seat, please." Mr. Cross released the large hand and sat down himself.
Xena shifted in front of the paper-scattered desk, and sat down.
"Well, welcome to Philadelphia," greeted Mr. Cross. "What you think?"
Xena nodded and folded her hands in her lap. "Nothing like Wyoming."
"Yes, quite different." The old man rested back in his squeaky seat. "I heard you have quite the reputation in Wyoming."
"I keep hearing that too," joked Xena. "Just trying to make a little money… following in my father's footsteps." She grinned.
The man laughed. "I can understand that."
"Yes, thought I'd come to his hometown." She shot an evil smile. "Reclaim his territory."
Mr. Cross nodded. "He must have had some fine territory too." He rocked in his seat a little. "I can tell you, Xena. It won't be easy." He paused then added, "The cops have really cracked down on the north and east side. They're working their way west through the city."
Xena laughed deeply. "I'll just have to upset their system then." She arched an eyebrow. "I think I have an inside hand already." She left it there then inquired, "How many dealers in the drug ring?"
Mr. Cross stopped rocking in his seat. "West side has twenty or so… same in the south side."
"What about the east and north sides?" Xena tilted her head. "Nobody will touch it?"
"Not at all, Xena." The man shook his head. "They're too scared of the cops." He sighed. "We need to get around these cops." He narrowed his eyes. "The percent has been dropping quickly."
"Don't worry, Mr. Cross." Xena crossed one leg over the other. "There's a back door, I'll take care of it." She paused and said, "Let me take care of some things for you. And you'll be high back on the market."
"First of all." Mr. Cross sat up. "We have a large pick up, today. I'd like for you to come, Xena." He rested his hands on the desk. "Then you begin your mission as to why I hired you." He stood up and held his hand out. "Welcome aboard, Xena."
The tall woman stood and took the hand. "Thank you, Mr. Cross." She grinned evilly. "'Bout time this place had some western spark."
Mr. Cross laughed while he released her hand. "You're the only woman to do it, Xena." He held his hand towards the door. "The pick up is soon, we best leave now."
"Of course." Xena walked over to the door. "Your car?"
"Yes, it's the black limo outside."
The tall woman nodded. "Naturally." She opened the door and left.
Mr. Cross followed out and locked the door behind. He went down the steps and signaled the guard to come with them.
Together the group got into the limousine that was already occupied by a driver and two other men with guns out.
The limousine backed out of the dark alley and onto the ghetto streets of Philadelphia.
A Near by Police Station…
Peter came into the station and took his hat off. He walked over to his desk and sat down.
"Sarge, here's the files you were asking for from Wyoming." The young police officer handed the folder over.
Peter took the folder and looked up at the young man. "Were they hard to get ahold of?"
"Yes, apparently they were, Sarge." The young officer shook his head. "Hardly any of the stations over in Wyoming ever heard of a Xena Dusk." He paused then added, "Her name isn't even Xena Dusk… its some alias she goes by." The man shook her head. "She's something else, boss."
"Thank you, Jonathan."
"No problem, Sarge." The young man headed back to the front desk.
Peter settled the folder onto his desk. He opened the file and the first thing was a copy of a picture of Xena in her cowboy attire. He narrowed his eyes and put the picture on the other side of the folder. The next item was another set of mug shots of Xena.
Peter put those flipped past them and came to the records he wanted. "Xena Dusk… real name Heather Smith." He shook his head and noticed that Xena Dusk was her new name, just changed from Heather. He flipped the page over to all the police records. He gaped. "Holy shit," he whispered in awe.
Later That Afternoon…
Gabrielle entered her apartment after just getting off work. She kicked the door closed behind and went into her bedroom. She sat down on the bed and sighed. She bent forward, preparing to take her boots off but the doorbell buzzed. "Oh wonderful." She got up and went back to the door.
Once the door opened, Megan smiled brightly. "Hey Eph, what's up?"
"Came by to check on you since… last night," emphasized the friend. She stepped in and closed the door behind. "What happened?"
The writer shrugged and made her way to a sofa. She sat down in a flop. "We had dinner and watched a movie."
Megan sat down near her friend. "That's it?"
"Yes, Eph."
Megan sighed and said quietly, "I hope so… and that you're not lying to me."
The small woman looked away.
"Oh no," whispered Megan, "please tell me you didn't, Gabrielle."
The writer ran her hand through her hair. "Look Eph, why would it matter?"
"Because you don't know her," replied the friend hotly. "Tell me you didn't!"
"I did, alright, Megan?" Gabrielle looked back with anger over her expression. "I did, she did, we did." She stood up. "And I gotta say I don't care about who she is." She walked near the kitchen bar.
Megan got up and came over to her friend. She grabbed her arm. "Do you want to know who she is?" she whispered in pure anger. "She is one of the best drug dealers in America." She narrowed her eyes. "People hire her to 'correct' their drug ring."
The small woman shook her head. "How… how can you be sure?"
The friend sighed and released her friend's arm. "Shannon and I use to be big into crack before we knew you." She paused. "The name Xena was big in the drug department but kept secret from the police." She shook her head. "She's very mysterious, Gabrielle and she's very dangerous." She paused. "She's probably trying to get to Peter through you."
"Why Peter?"
"He is the sargeant in the east side of Philly." Megan paused in thought. "The last time I heard the ring was looking to regain their territory in the east side."
"This can't be true," whispered Gabrielle.
The friend shook the writer's shoulders. "Gabrielle, listen to me, stay away from this Xena." She paused and whispered, "I can't let you get hurt." She squeezed her friend's shoulders. "Please, Gabrielle."
The small woman shook her head. "I don't know, Eph." She breathed calmly and said, "I've gotta hear her side of the story first."
"Here's her side of the story," said Peter when he walked in. He held up the folder. "Take a look, Gabrielle." He dropped the folder onto the table and closed the door.
Gabrielle started shaking, and she opened the folder. She went to the police records and scanned through them. It was one drug offense after another, assault, rape of other women, and then one murder. "Oh my god," she whispered in horror. "She's…"
"Going to be a prisoner soon," finished Peter. "It seems this Heather Smith is a hard one for the law to get a hold of." He shook his head. "Not now, tomorrow we'll have our warranty and her ass behind bars." He took the folder with the files. "She's over due for prison time… if not a death sentence."
"Wait," said Gabrielle as she watched Peter head towards the bedroom.
The officer turned around and waited.
"I'd like to speak with her first."
The man stared at his girlfriend the asked, "Why?"
"So I can slap her," whispered Gabrielle. "I'll keep her distracted while you and your men show up."
Peter nodded. "That'll work perfectly." He raised an eyebrow. "But it'll be dangerous, babe. I don't think I can-"
"She won't do anything, I promise," said the writer. "I'll keep her busy… please Peter."
The officer sighed and stared at the floor. "Alright… but we'll do it a certain way."
"Thank you."
Peter nodded and went into his room.
"Are you nuts?" hissed Megan.
Gabrielle leaned towards her friend. "No," she said hotly. "I am just pissed."
Midday the Following Day…
Xena went to her door and opened it. She blinked but smiled. "Howdy, Gabrielle." She arched an eyebrow. "Didn't expect you here."
"Didn't expect myself here," replied Gabrielle.
"Want to come in?" asked older woman.
The writer shook her head and folded her arms. "Fine right here." She pressed her lips together then she looked up. "Mind telling me what you do for a job?"
"Its complicated, Gabrielle."
"Hmmm, right." The small woman licked her lips and tilted her head. She held her hand out. "I'm Gabrielle Troubadour and you must be Heather Smith."
Xena closed her eyes and breathed heavily. "Gabrielle-"
"You fucken lied to me, you bitch," growled the writer. "You're a fucking drug dealer, murderer, and a rapist." Her green eyes flashed and she was holding back from slugging the other woman. "You bitch," she whispered in anger.
Xena opened her eyes and said quietly, "I'm not a drug dealer, nor a murderer and definitely not a rapist."
"That's such bullshit, Heather." Gabrielle shook her head. "I saw a whole goddamn police record on your criminal history."
"Gabrielle, its not true."
"The Hell its not true." The small woman grabbed Xena by the shirt. "You used me."
"No-" The older woman was cut off by the punch to her face. She stumbled back and touched her upper lip where it was bleeding. She looked past Gabrielle and saw the police cars coming in. She wiped the blood away and her eyes focused on the small woman.
"Why?" whispered Gabrielle.
"You don't understand, Gabrielle."
"I fucken understand perfectly clear now." The writer stepped back as a few tears came down her cheeks. "They'll lock you away for life if not kill you."
Xena watched as the cops started swarming towards her house. "Gabrielle, listen to me please."
"No, I'm through." Gabrielle backed down the steps and the cops came in.
Xena didn't resist as she was suddenly slammed against the doorway. She was hand cuffed while a police officer read her rights. She closed her eyes and tried controlling her emotions of anger.
Peter came up beside his girlfriend. "She didn't…"
"No." Gabrielle shook her head and watched the police bring Xena down the steps.
Suddenly, Xena tried jerking free towards Gabrielle. "Gabrielle, listen to me!" she yelled.
Peter pulled out his gun and cocked the hammer.
"No," order the writer to Peter.
Peter held back and watched the ten or so police pull Xena back under control.
"Gabrielle, find out my hidden background!" called Xena. "Please," she yelled. Her eyes locked on Gabrielle.
The writer couldn't turn away from the strong gaze. She saw the plea and desperation in Xena's eyes.
The ten officers restrained the tall woman.
Xena mouthed, I love you, before she was thrown into a cop car.
Gabrielle closed her eyes briefly and her heart sunk. She was about to cry on the spot but she held strong. With open eyes now, she watched the police cars drive off with Xena.
"Are you okay, Gabrielle?" asked Peter.
"Yeah, I'll be fine." Gabrielle shook where she stood.
"Go home and relax, huh?" The young man rubbed his girlfriend's back. "I gotta go back to the station and write this up." He put his gun away.
Gabrielle nodded. "Alright."
Peter leaned over and kissed the writer's temple. "That was real brave of you," he whispered, "thank you."
The small woman nodded. "Anytime." She chuckled.
History Time…
Megan rushed into the apartment and came around the kitchen counter into the living room. She spotted her friend curled up on the sofa with red eyes. "Gabrielle." She raced over and knelt down beside her. "What happened?"
The writer didn't say anything and just reached out to her friend.
Megan grabbed her friend and pulled her into her arms. "Its okay," she whispered and sat on the couch. She pulled her friend in closer.
Shannon came into the apartment and quietly closed the door. She made her way over to her girlfriend and Gabrielle. "Is she okay?" she whispered.
Megan shook her head and rocked Gabrielle in her arms.
Shannon knelt down beside the sofa and stroked Gabrielle's short blond hair. "What happened, Gabrielle?" she uttered.
The writer lifted her head off Megan's chest and tried sitting up. She shook her head and gazed down at Shannon. "She said she didn't do any of it."
Megan took her friend's hands and held it tightly.
"Gabrielle, Eph and I can tell you she's no good guy," stated Shannon. "Her name is huge on the drug market."
The small woman closed her eyes and dropped her head back. "She told me to check into her hidden background." She opened her eyes and glanced between her friends. "I've got to at least do that," she whispered.
Megan peered down at Shannon. "You won't find anything good." She turned her attention back to Gabrielle. "I can promise that."
"Why would she have begged me to find out about her background?" Gabrielle shook her head. "You said yourself she's a mysterious woman."
"And dangerous too," added Megan. "This game could get you killed, Gabrielle."
The small woman shook her head. "Please Megan… I need to find out." She paused then she whispered, "I'm in love with her."
Megan sighed and closed her eyes. "She's using you," she uttered.
"I think… I think that too." Gabrielle squeezed her friend's hand. "But I have to find out the truth here. I cannot be the cause of an innocent person getting sent on death row," she whispered. "God please Megan, I love her and I am feeling like she's been setup." She closed her eyes. "Please Megan."
"Okay, okay," whispered Megan. She pulled her friend in. "Shannon and I will help you."
When the friends separated, Shannon squeezed Gabrielle's knee. "But you gotta follow Eph and I's lead accordingly, we gotta be careful."
Gabrielle nodded her agreement.
The three women then left the apartment building. They decided on Gabrielle's car and headed to the west side of Philadelphia. Megan drove the way over, knowing where exactly to go.
Shannon glanced back at Gabrielle in the back seat. "We're going to see this man by the name of Ice." She paused before saying, "He's a \dealer that knows the whose, whose of any world drug ring." She shook her head. "If he doesn't know anything about Xena then nobody will."
Gabrielle breathed deeply and nodded.
"Make sure you're wallet is stashed full of cash," mentioned Megan, "His information has a big price tag."
"I'm good with money," replied Gabrielle.
"Let's hope so," whispered Megan as she drove off the highway, into the suburbs of Philadelphia. She went into a quite, dirty part of town and pulled off at the side. She parked the car and got out. "Let's go."
Shannon and Megan led their friend into a rundown townhouse. Once inside, they climbed a flight of stairs and came to an apartment door.
Shannon knocked and smiled when it opened. "What's up?!" She said happily.
"Well I be a fucking duck," said the man. "It's my girls." The African American man opened his door more. "How are you ladies?" He shook his head. "I haven't seen you in these parts in years." He was an older man.
"Well Ice, Meg and I have dropped the white ways." Shannon grinned.
"You two ladies were my best customers." He shook his head. "Such a pity."
"Rrright." Shannon held her hand out to Gabrielle. "We're still bringing you some business though, my man." She dropped her hand. "My friend Gabs here wants to know a little information."
Ice looked at Gabrielle and nodded. "You know, young lady, my information is very costly… depending on what you want to know."
"I think we can handle it, Ice," cut in Megan. "Old time sakes."
Ice nodded his head. "Alright, alright, come in." He closed the door once the women were in. "Sit down."
The three women all sat down on one sofa while Ice sat at the opposite one.
"So, what can I help you with?" his eyes locked on Gabrielle.
The small woman leaned forward with her elbow on her knees. "Do you know anything about a Xena Dusk?"
Ice nodded and sat back in his seat. He crossed one leg over the other. "The Wyoming Cow Girl huh?" He grinned and pulled out a cigarette from his sleeve pocket. "I heard she's here in these parts."
"Ice," warned Shannon. "You know she's here." She shook her head. "Don't do your beat around the bush bit."
Ice grinned and said, "You know me too well, Shan." He lit his cigarette and smoked on it. "What you wanna know about the Cow Girl?" He put his lighter on the table between them.
"Who is she?" asked Gabrielle.
The drug dealer chuckled and responded, "The Cow Girl, who else?"
"Come on, Ice." Megan shook her head. "We don't have time for this."
"Look ladies," went on Ice, "why are you poking your noses into dangerous shit like this?" His eyes flickered over the woman. "Both you two." He pointed at Shannon and Megan. "Know how goddamn fucking dangerous Xena Dusk is." He paused. "We know her reputation." He sat back into his seat. "You three ladies, are getting nothing from me because I won't have your goddamn deaths on my hand."
"Ice," said Gabrielle. "I know Xena Dusk… and I also know she's in jail right now." She shook her head. "There's more going on than being said." She paused and added, "If somebody doesn't start giving the truth there will be no Xena Dusk anymore." She leaned towards the older man. "I also know damn well Xena Dusk isn't suppose to be in that jail cell." She narrowed her eyes. "Start helping her out of the cell or bury her deeper in it."
Ice grounded his teeth and took a long drag on his cigarette. "Alright." He leaned forward and smashed the cigarette into the ashtray on the table. "Xena Dusk is from Wyoming, true."
"Come on, Ice," rushed Shannon.
"Shan girl." Ice held his hand up and sat back in his seat. "Give this old man some space to talk."
Shannon sighed and kept silent.
"Thank you." The older man looked at Gabrielle. "Like I said, she is from Wyoming." He paused while he collected his thoughts. "Her father was from here as was her mother." He folded his arms. "Her father was an undercover cop." He licked his lips before continuing. "Her father, Steve, become quite involved in a huge drug bust." He corked an eyebrow. "So into it that he almost forgot his duty but luckily he did not."
"He was that cop mysteriously shot back in the late nine-teen sixties?" Shannon was bug eyed. "Oh my god, I heard about that drug bust that almost happened. It would have the been the biggest ever."
"Key word, almost," repeated Ice.
"What happened?" asked Gabrielle.
The African American man sighed and focused back on Gabrielle. "Steve got too involved, didn't watch is back and got shot in the back." He shook his head. "Nobody is sure who did it." He shrugged. "They say the old drug leader, Mr. Cross, did it but who knows." He folded his hands in his lap. "None the less, you reason enough to stay away," he warned.
"Wait Ice," cut in Megan. "You're not giving the entire story. Fork the damn story over." She narrowed her eyes. "I drove all the way out here, I am not about to head back empty handed."
"Chill babe." Ice sighed and went on. "Once Xena's father was killed, they went after her mother… Catherine." He paused as a grin formed on his lips. "But Steve had been a step ahead of them druggers then." He chuckled and explained. "Steve knew he was head over in shit but he was smart enough to send his wife off." He leaned towards the women. "He sent her across the country by train to Wyoming with a roll of cash he'd stolen from Mr. Cross."
"Oh damn, I bet that pissed the Hell off with Mr. Cross," muttered Shannon.
"Oh you bet," replied Ice. "He bitched a storm and wanted his drug money back. He sent some of his men to Wyoming after Catherine." He shook his head. "They couldn't find her at all, she'd just… disappeared." He chuckled while he recalled more of the story. "But you see… at the time Catherine was with a child."
"Let me guess, little Xena," stated Megan.
"Exactly." Ice nodded sternly. "Catherine had gone to a hospital to have Xena, she was out in the open."
"Oh no," whispered Gabrielle, "That's when they found them."
"Yes." The old man sighed sadly. "Mr. Cross's men showed up at the hospital, killed Xena's mother and found the her home. They took the money and returned back here to Philly."
"But they didn't know about Xena," whispered Shannon. "I smell a revenge."
"Sssh," ordered Ice. "Let me finish. Once Mr. Cross's men returned he asked them if they'd killed Catherine's child. They didn't know of any child and Mr. Cross blew his cap again." He laughed quietly. "So those same men went trudging back to Wyoming to finish the business. By the time they got there, the child was gone and put into an orphanage under another name." He shook his head. "There was no way for them to find out where the child was, so they gave up and came back to Philly."
"Hold on," cut in Megan. "They lied to Mr. Cross and said they'd killed Xena huh?"
"Yes."
"Wait." Gabrielle shook her head. "How did Xena Dusk managed this criminal record?"
Ice grinned and crossed one leg over the other. "She acquired it by her own means." He tilted his head. "The Cow Girl was born and raised on a ranch by her adopted parents." He pulled out his pack of cigarettes and begun turning them over and over in his hands. "One day she decided to research her family's past. She found out everything she didn't want to know." He shrugged. "She was pretty angry at the young age of twenty."
"Was her name Xena Dusk then?" asked Gabrielle.
"No, her name was Heather Smith at the time," answered Ice. "By her adopted parents. The name Xena Dusk was suppose to be given to her by her mother and father but for obvious reason it was never placed on a birth certificate." He stopped turning his cigarette pack. "Now this is where the history is a little more blurry. Somehow, Xena managed to get her criminal record in a span of a day."
The three women gawked.
The man laughed deeply and explained more. "This a just a suspicion… nobody is sure if she has or hasn't done the crimes." He shrugged. "But this suspicion has led big time dealers to believe she has inside help." He shook his head. "Yet that would require her to have inside help that can create a criminal record for her within that span of a day." He laughed deeply. "So, nobody quite believes that tale and everybody thinks she's murdered people, dealt drugs, and has done some raping in her time."
Gabrielle narrowed her eyes. "What do you believe, Ice?"
Ice leaned forward and put the pack on the table. "I believe ladies, you're too far into this as it is."
"Then you'll tell us the rest," stated Gabrielle. "Please Ice, I know there's gotta be more."
"I'm an old man, Gabs." The drug dealer sighed deeply. "I've been here all my life."
Megan narrowed her eyes and whispered, "You knew Steve didn't you, Ice?"
The man stared at Megan then he slowly smiled while he spoke, "Steve and I grew up in the same ghetto school together." He chuckled. "Smoked the same goddamn drugs before he put on that badge." He sighed sadly. "He was one Hell of a nice man."
Gabrielle considered what had been said and realized just how much this man knew. "By any chance, do you happen to know Xena Dusk… personally?" She grinned at the African American.
Ice laughed deeply and gradually nodded. "I've known Xena Dusk since she was in her mother's womb."
"The piece are coming together," whispered Gabrielle. "She's back here to get revenge for her parents' deaths, isn't she?"
The older man studied the writer and noticed how she was desperate to know the truth. "Yes, she's here for revenge." He got a serious look suddenly. "And I recommend you stay away from her. She's on a mission that'll she do anything to accomplish."
"She's not going to get far being stuck in a jail cell and all," stated Shannon.
Ice chuckled. "I wouldn't hold your breath to that, Shan." He stood up. "However, I'd say you three should go duck for cover."
"Ice-" started Shannon
"No," cut off Ice. "Time for your three lovely ladies to leave, if I hear you three snooping around more." He narrowed his eyes. "I'll be setting my boys on your asses to keep you out of this shit." He walked over to the door. "I've said more than enough." He opened it. "Time to leave."
The three women sighed and got up, each going out single file.
Gabrielle was outlast and turned back to Ice. "Ice, will she be alive by the end of this?"
The old man closed his eyes then opened them again. "I cannot promise she will be, Gabs." He shook his head. "She's following her father's footsteps," he whispered. He grasped the young woman's shoulder. "Stay away." He went into his apartment and closed the door silently.
The women went outside and quickly got into the car.
Megan started the car. She glanced at her girlfriend. "This place still gives me the creeps."
Shannon nodded in agreement.
"Eph?"
Megan drove off down the road. "Yeah, Gabrielle?"
"Head to the police station."
Shannon looked back. "Are you nuts? You heard Ice."
"I don't care," said Gabrielle hotly. "Xena is gonna need help, damn it."
Megan sighed and got on the south part of the beltway. The quickest way to the east side where Peter worked and Xena was being held.