~ The Lesson ~
by Talaria


Disclaimer: Xena, Gabrielle, and Argo belong to MCA/Universal. No intent to infringe on MCA/Universal?s copyright was made during the process of writing this story. The other characters and story are those of the author and may not be used without permission.

There is violence (Xena in her bad girl days) so beware! It all works out in the end so read it anyway!

This is my first attempt at fanfiction or any fiction. I wrote this story during the second season of X:WP.

Read and send me your comments. Please be nice for I am just a baby bard and this is my first tooth:}

Thanks to my kids for the encouragement to write and My Warrior (my beta bud) for the strength to continue.


A moment?. just for a moment our eyes met.

"Does she know? Does she remember?"

I watched my hand, as if in slow motion, pour the liquid into her cup.

"Breathe?breathe?steady?steady?take your time."

A necessary glance.

"Will that be all ?" I asked. " We have great soup today".

"Chills."

"Yeah, sounds good?and bread"?.. she said.

"The scars on my arm, did she see them? Did she remember?

"Go get the food, breathe ?.breathe.

I can?t , I can?t go back to that table, but I must, go on you can do it?breathe?steady.

Another necessary glance.

"Here you go, two bowls of soup and bread." I said.

"Thanks, said the blonde, sitting next to ?. her.

"What an odd combination. Who?s that girl with her? Seems like a nice girl, not the type that would

be around?. her."

"Heart pounding, dizzy, fear and embarrassment engulfing me all at once."

"Breathe?breathe?steady, go and sit down."

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes, yes honey, just a little tired today. I?ll just sit a moment," I said.

"Take your time. I can handle the customers." He said.

"Stop shaking!" These hands won?t stop shaking!" "Look at her sitting there?I remember, I remember the first time we ? met?Warrior Princess".

* * * *

 

"What is it? Can I help?" said the girl.

"It won?t take long. I promise", said Xena

"Xeeena!" said the blonde with a skeptical tone.

" I?ll be right back," said Xena as she turned and walked away, leaving the young girl

looking abandoned and disgusted.

"Can I get you anything else?" I asked as I approached the girl.

"No, thanks," said the troubled blonde. "You were right."

"I was?" I said looking confused.

"The soup was delicious"

" Thanks , glad you enjoyed it".

"I?m Gabrielle"

"I?m Taylin, nice to meet you" I said.

"Are you O.K.? You don?t look too happy with your friend."

"Oh no, I?m find, it?s just Xena has a way of just ?getting under my skin sometimes.

"Yes, I know"

"You know? How? Have you met her before? She asked.

"Oh no, don?t panic, steady, steady, breath?breathe."

"Huh, yes huh no! I, I don?t know her. We?ve never met", I said as I prepared to leave.

As I turned, she grabbed my arm and judging by her expression, knew I was lying.

Wait!, please" she said "You knew her before? When? Where?"

I pulled my arm away and stared into her eyes. I could not bring myself to leave.

She had the kind of face that invited many a person to sit for hours and bare their souls.

No one knew of my past with Xena. It was hidden, deep inside, in a place buried

by years of better memories. Just then , did I realize how much I needed to let it go, how

much it had really haunted me and how much I wanted it to end.

"Come here, sit down" she said as she took my hands and pulled me down to the chair.

"You met Xena before?"

"Yes" I said hesitantly.

"And it wasn?t pleasant" she said flatly.

"No" I said with a shiver in my voice.

"She held my hands tighter as she read my expressions so easily. "I?ve met others in the

past that have had the misfortune of meeting Xena during her wicked years. I?ve seen that

beseeched look on their faces when she appeared. I hope one day, that after all the good

Xena has done and is doing will change the looks, the look that?s on your face.

"Taylin, what?"

"It, it was a long time ago?.I was so young??my husband doesn?t even know." I said

"He thinks these scars?"

My hand moved over my arm where thin ridges of skin crossed each other in tangled patterns.

Once very prominent, now only a whisper of disfiguration could be seen.

"Tell me what happened" she said in a kind and quiet voice.

I looked at her for a moment, then to the door, hoping Xena would not return and wishing

this was not happening.

"She?s changed" she said

Her voice pulled me from my trance. I stared, giving her a confused look.

"Xena, she?s changed. She?s not the Xena you knew. You don?t have to be afraid of

her anymore" she said.

I?m not afraid, I..I?I?m?..I?ve heard people talking, but I did not believe that such a person

could ever change" I said. She was sooo?."

"Believe me, she has changed. If you would talk to her you would see."

"I don?t know", I said shaking my head.

"Gabrielle rubbed her hand across my arm. "Maybe it?s time to heal all of the scars."

In my heart, I knew she was right. My mind drifted back as I spoke of that dark time.

* * *

My family was poor, with a mother doing her best to take care of six children and a father

working too hard to have time for us. Being the oldest child gave me little time for myself. No

chance to be free. I felt old before my time. My grandfather lived with

us and often told stories of his travels, riches and victories of his days as a great warrior.

He gave me a necklace, and on it hung the crest of his once mighty army. I was not sure if I really

believed he was a warrior but the stories took me away, to another world, an adventure from this

everyday life. Daydreaming had often been the escape for me. Father would soon bring me back

to reality with the fact that daydreaming does not put food on the table or keep a roof over our heads.

The life seemed harder, daydreaming came often and so did the arguments. I left early one morning

before the sun had risen. I was free?I thought.

* * *

Kassmar?s army made its? way through the country side as fierce and deadly as Xena?s army.

It was inevitable that one day they would meet, but unlikely I would be caught up in it.

Fate sometimes has a strange way of making any unlikely, likely.

I felt them before I heard them. The weight shook the ground beneath me. Something big was

coming my way and I did not plan to be in its? path. As the sound grew I slipped into the brush

and hid. The shaking got stronger and the noise got louder. As the first horse passed I was

taken back by the size and rider. This had to be a warrior with such fine leathers and armor. He sat

tall and fearless in the saddle. As the army passed my heart pounded with excitement. I could have

blamed my sudden light headedness on the thrill of seeing this great army passing before me but, the

noise in my stomach assured me hunger was the problem. Three days on the road had dwindled my

supplies down to nothing. An occasional berry bush had sustained me so far. As the last of the army

had passed , I slipped out and followed. The sun was setting when Kassmar?s army stopped for

the night. I hid and watched from the bushes as the warm camp fires called to me in the cold of

the night and the smell of the cooking meat tortured my poor hungry soul. As the army laid

sleeping, I crept past the guard who was paying more attention to cleaning his sword than intruders.

I scavenged for any piece of leftover food I could find. Between the excitement of being with a

real live army and the fact that I might be eating soon, blinded me to the fact that I was in danger.

As I reached for the meat and fruit , a rather large hand grabbed me by the arm. I whirled and pulled

away only to fall on the ground. It was Kassmar standing there smiling with amusement as I struggled

to get up. I began to run and was caught from behind by the sword cleaning guard. Others began

to wake up and watch the show. I was excited about being with the army, but now I only felt fear.

The more I struggled the more Kassmar laughed. "Take her to my tent" he said as he continued

to laugh at my feeble attempts to break free.

Kassmar asked questions and I answered. He listened to my story, occasionally raising an eyebrow

with a slight smile. When I mentioned my grandfather by name, his eyes widen with excitement. Kassmar

knew my grandfather because he had been one of grandfather?s soldiers. He acted almost childish as I

showed him the necklace. I could not believe that grandfather had been telling the truth for all these years.

Kassmar ordered food to be brought to his tent and we talked late into the morning hours.

I stayed with his army from that time on. He ordered his men not to touch me or they would answer to

him. I helped the cook and kept Kassmar entertained with the stories that grandfather had told me.

I watched the soldiers practicing with their swords and one day was allowed to join them. They taught

me a lot and eventually gave me a sword. They teased and jokingly called me "Baby Xena". They

laughed even louder when I asked "Xena who?".

We were on the move, defeating the next two armies. This time the army moved quickly upon the

poor out numbered Brone army. I never went into battle with the soldiers but I shared in the celebrations

of their victories. Today I wanted to do more than celebrate. I wanted to swing my sword and kill the

enemy in a mighty battle. I wanted to truly be part of the victory. I could see myself standing with the army

shouting "Victory" as grandfather once did so many years ago. I dressed in leathers and armor that lay

unattended. I slipped into the ranks of the soldiers as they ran toward the Brone army. They were over powered by Kassmar?s mighty soldiers. One of Kassmar?s men slashed the enemy soldier across the chest and

sneered as he fell. Another Brone soldier raced toward the Kassmar soldier with his sword aiming straight

for his back. I ran and stabbed the enemy in the side. I felt his body quake as I pulled the sword from his

side. I lost my breath, stunned by the look in the surprised soldier?s eyes. He yelled in agony as the blood

poured from the wound. I trembled as I saw the fear in his eyes as he realized he was dying. I dropped the

sword and ran. I suddenly felt overheated, lurching forward, landing on the ground, and losing my stomach.

"Blood, so much blood, his blood, on my hands, on me!". Cold ran through my veins as I watched Kassmar?s soldiers continue unmercifully. Kneeling, dazed, not wanting to see the horror, I closed my eyes. Not knowing or

caring where I went , I ran, and ran, I ran until it was dark, until I fell exhausted to the ground. The

water surprised me as it splashed over my body. It was a small creek, hardly visible in the dark. As I began

to drink, I thought of the blood on my hands and my mind raced as I thought of the day?s events. I cried

as I imagined grandfather stabbing people to death. This could not be something that my kind grandfather

could have done. Frantically, I washed my hands in the cold water until they were raw.

* * *

Hours passed as I found myself entering a village. The tavern door swung open, followed by a drunken man singing some out of tune song. Tripping over his own feet, he fell, spilling his pouch of dinars all over

the ground. He cursed and laughed as he tried to collect his wealth. Satisfied, he went on his way, leaving

a good amount of dinars on the ground. I collected them and thanking the Gods went into the tavern.

It was quiet, with only two customers there. I sat at a table in the corner. The barkeep looked at me

strangely for a few minutes. " A young girl dressed in warrior leathers and showing up in his tavern".

Trying to look as if I knew what I was doing, I pounded my fist on the table and demanded food and

drink. He was not intimidated nor impressed and only wanted to know if I had dinars enough to pay for

food and drink. I made a few warrior sneers, slammed the dinars down on the table, while still demanding

food. He took the order, took the dinars, shook his head and left. After devouring the food I sat back to

rest my full stomach. The running had famished and exalted me. I laid my head down on the table and fell asleep.

* * *

Warriors were screaming and blood was everywhere! "Mercy, mercy," they cried as they came toward me.

I jumped as I woke from the nightmare. I could not tell if I was still sleeping or awake for the noise and

screaming continued. As I cleared my head, I realized I was still in the tavern, but there were more people

there. Warriors! Warriors celebrating! Just for a moment I thought I was back with Kassmar?s men. The

barkeep came to tell me "This was not an inn, and I would have to order more or get out!". With no danars

left, I proceeded to leave. Two tables over one of the men stood up and began to dance. He was a bit older

than the rest of the men yet he still looked strong and capable as the rest. Cup in hand, he twirled foolishly as he spilt his drink on the floor and anyone around him. As I rose, the man stumbled into me. I panicked and pushed him away, leaving a small scratch on his face. He recovered and looked at me with such angry eyes. He threw his cup

down and headed for me. No matter where I looked there was no place to run, his soldiers were sitting all

around. He charged. I remembered what Kassmar?s men had showed me. I dropped to the floor and landed

a powerful blow to the groin. The other men groaned in unison as the man fell to the floor. As I rose, the tip

of a blade pierced my throat ever so lightly. Startled I looked up to see the bluest, steeled eyes I had ever seen.

A woman, a warrior woman! She guided me to my feet with the tip of her sword. "I don?t like people hurting

my men" she said as her eyes blazed with contempt. She studied me closely. "You?re just a kid!"

"I, I, I?m not a kid" I said shaking miserably as I spoke.

Her men laughed. The blue steeled eyes widen, her teeth clinched in a wicked smile.

Her arm went up preparing to send the blade through. She towered over me with such might I could only

close my eyes and pray that I would die quickly without much pain. I felt a hand grab my armor and pull me

forward. Surprised that I was not in pain, I opened my eyes. We were nose to nose, almost as if she was

daring me to breathe ?and I didn?t. She paused for a moment then pushed me away. I stumbled into the chairs,

even then keeping an eye on her. She walked closer and stood looking down at me with a long, silent,

penetrating stare.

"I LIKE YOUR MOVE" she said in a strong deep tone of voice.

"You got potential. I think? I?ll keep you".

I fell to my knees in a melted heap. Laughter broke out again and she smiled at her men and anyone

brave enough to be in the tavern at the time. "Yeah Xena keep her!" shouted one of the men.

My heart jumped when I heard him say her name. This was the great Warrior Princess!

"Barkeep, bring her something to drink. I think she needs it" she said. In one quick swoop

she pulled me up and dragged me to the chair next to hers. She told one of her soldiers to check on

Falguss her lieutenant, who was still on the ground. He was hurting but able to get up. He stared at

me and I knew there would be hell to pay, but not tonight, tonight he would celebrate. I sat with Xena

and her men for hours. She never looked my way and I didn?t dare say a word. We left the tavern

late that night for their camp.

* * *

The morning came too quickly and sleep was almost impossible. I sat, tied to a pole near one of the

guard stations. Falguss walked by, staring with looks of bad intentions. He continued on and went

into Xena?s tent. Warriors went in and out, something was up. Xena yelled something and five

men came running out of her tent at break neck speed. They mounted their horses and rode hard and

fast. Hours passed and the heat from the sun was relentless. The pleads for water were ignored by

the guards. Xena came out of the tent with Falguss following. They talked briefly, once pointing

in my direction. My stomach tightens into a knot and my heart pounded. Xena went into the tent as

Falguss walked toward me. As he approached he pulled the dagger from the side mount on his leg.

I prayed to the God for mercy, while the screams of the Brone soldier I had killed echoed in my mind.

* * *

 

The large woman stood in deep concentration as she looked over the map on the table. She looked up

slowly as we entered the tent. I thanked the Gods for sparing me, this time. I was doubtful this

blessing would last for long. My arm welcomed the relief as Falguss released the vicious grip, then took his place by Xena?s side. She leaned heavily over the table and began to speak.

"You?re damn lucky". If Falguss had his way you?d be dead by now" ,she said in a cool calm

voice. I swallowed hard and looked at Falguss. He stood expressionless as Xena continued.

"Whether you live or die depends on your answers to my questions. You understand?"

"Yes" I replied.

"Those leathers and armor, where did you get them?"

"I,I," stumbling as I looked down at the uniform of Kassmar?s army, only then remembering what

I had on. A cold sweat fell across my body as I search for an answer. Before I could speak, one

of Xena?s men yelled through the entrance of the tent. "Xena, we have them!" Falguss and Xena

looked at each other and smiled as Xena grabbed her whip from the table. I sighed in relief as they

were leaving the tent. I could sneak out the back of the tent while they were gone.

"Come ooon!" said Falguss as he grabbed me by the back of my collar and pulled me out of the tent.

One of the guards said something to Xena sending her face into an angry rage. She gave him the whip

and took his sword. Two soldiers lay on the ground with their hands bound by ropes. They had been

pulled and dragged by the horses that stood near by. Even in their pain, the men coward in fear as Xena

approached with eyes wide and crazed. "You ran!, You ran from the battle like scared little children!

What kind of men are you? What kind of warriors are you? I expect LOYALTY!" she said as she spun

around looking at the rest of the army that had been summoned. "Without LOYALTY there can be

NO ARMY! The price for your desertion, DEATH!" she said as she spun back around, eyes glaring

at the frighten men. Falguss signaled to the guards. They stood the deserters up and moved out of

the way. Xena walked slowly toward the men as if enjoying the moment. The sword flashed

brightly from the sun as she carried it back for maximum impact. I wanted to close my eyes but

couldn?t. "No! not again, no more bloodshed!" I thought as I watched the carnage. As the last man ?s

head fell to the ground , followed momentarily by his body, dead silence blanketed the camp.

She held her position just for a moment and watched the body fall to the ground. An evil smile

parted her lips. She stood tall looking at her army from one end to the other. If anyone misunderstood

Xena?s feeling about loyalty, they were crystal clear now.

* * *

The sun was setting as the camp seemed to settle for the night. The guard pushed me hard through

the tent entrance, sending me to the ground. Xena and Falguss sat with their feet propped against the

barrels of wine resting between them. Xena signaled the guard to leave. They continued to talk as

if I wasn?t even there.

"Not your usual punishment for desertion. What changed your mind?" Falguss asked.

"Not only did they desert said Xena, but they killed a young mother and her child."

"There are always a few that just don?t get it" said Falguss.

"I bet they get it now" said Xena with a cold, sarcastic voice. They both laughed in agreement Xena finished her drink and then stared at me for a minute?"Oh yeah , where were we" she said,

"The uniform where did you get it?" said Falguss.

I feared telling the truth would put me in the same light as the deserters . I told them everything except for the leaving part. I told them I had been hit on the head and wondered away, finally losing my way from the army.

When I finished, Falguss looked at Xena and instantly understood each other without speaking

a word . "So you RAN away from home, joined Kassmar?s army, attack another army, lose your nerve

and probably your stomach, then RAN away from the battle."

"I didn?t ru , run" I said as fear took control of my voice. I stood defending myself, trying more to convince myself. "I heard the panic as I pleaded .I didn?t run. I would never do that! My grand father was a great warrior and I would never? nev?."I said as tears rolled down my face.

Xena raised an eyebrow in surprise as she stood up. "A great warrior? What great warrior?" she said

as she laughed.

I showed the necklace that my grandfather had given me .I told them who he was and what he had done ,

praying all the time that it would help. Xena eyed the necklace, and with a quick jerk pulled it from my neck. She handed it to Falguss.

"This was before your time Xena, I was just a young warrior myself when this army was around."

" Granddaughter to an old warrior, huh?" she said " Well , for a fellow warrior?s granddaughter

we must have more respect." Falguss had heard that tone of voice used by Xena before and knew she was up to something.

"Guard !" she shouted.

The guard hurried into the tent. "Bring us some food, we must take care of our special guest."

"Yes Xena." said the guard as he turned and left.

"So grandfather was a great warrior" she said as she motioned to me to come sit on the barrel between her and Falguss. "Do you wish to be a warrior like him?"

"Yes ?.and as powerful as you!" I said with a more determined voice. Xena slowly drifted a smug smile

at Falguss who returned her smile with a roll of his eyes.

"A great warrior knows the enemy . The more you know about them the better prepared you are to defeat them." I came close to Kassmar?s army at one time but found my army at a disadvantage . A good

warrior also knows when to retreat." I listened intently, hanging on to every word as if sent straight

from the Gods. Just for a moment I felt like I was listening to grandfather again. Xena took the necklace

from Falguss and gave it to me. The guard returned with a big tray of food. Xena read the look on

my face and seized the moment.

"Where were you when you got lost from Kassmar?s army?" she said.

Without much thought I told her the direction I had come from. She smiled offered the tray of food ,

poured me a cup of wine. We talked about Kassmar?s army, ate, drank, and drank some more. By the

end of the evening I was passed out on the ground. Xena and Falguss had accomplished their goal and I

had told them all they needed to know.

 

* * *

The sunlight hit my brain like a lightening bolt as I woke to a new day. "Get up, let?s go!" said the soldier

as he tugged at my arm.

"Wha, what, what?s going on?" I said as I strained to see and stand. As my mind cleared, I felt the rope

binding my hands. My heart raced as I fought to clear the confusion in my head . The camp had been packed and the army was mounting their horses to leave. My arms were suddenly pulled causing my head and body

to jerk forward. The soldier moved his mount onward as I stumbled trying to keep up. My head pounded

and my stomach soured with every step. It seemed we had walked for hours before we had finally

stopped. Exhausted I fell to the ground. The soldier gave me water which came up with a vengeance. He

walked away cursing, saying something about destroyed boots. I lay there

trying to figure out what had happened. Xena and Falguss had seemed to like me and accepted my story,

I thought. Tears welled up in my eyes as I felt the pain in the pit of my stomach, not from the night

of foolish drinking, but from the realization of a betrayal. "How stupid I had been, so stupidly blind."

* * *

Xena and Falguss listened as the scouts told them the good news. They had found Kassmar?s army

and this time and Xena?s army had the upper hand. She ordered them to set up camp and prepare for

battle. Her eyes closed, an evil smile parted her lips as she could almost taste the victory at hand.

The soldier staked the pole into the ground . "Your army will die today" he said with a smile as he

tied my hands to the pole. "My army?" I said. "Yes. Kassmar doesn?t have a chance with the might

of Xena reigning down on him!"

"You?re attacking?" I asked.

As soon as we get camped and ready" he said with delight.

"No, oh nooo" I cried as my heart sank and my mind reeled from the guilt of what I had done.

The soldier walked away, laughing not only at my naive stupidity, but mostly at the

smell of victory.

* * *

Men hurried about , riders passed back and fourth through the camp, small groups formed, talked

and disbanded, excitement was in the air. The soldiers gathered as Falguss called the army to

attention. Xena gave her grand and mighty speech sending her army into an uproar.

"VICTORY!, VICTORY!, XENA!, XENA!, XENA!" The men chanted as they stood in anticipation.

"Bring her!" she yelled as she passed on her mount. The guard untied my hands and dragged me a long

as we followed Xena and Falguss. The army marched silently behind as we neared Kassmar?s territory.

We were standing high above his camp. Xena ?s army circled the valley leaving the unsuspecting army

with no way of escape. Xena told one of her guards something and gave him her rope. He signaled the

other guards to bring me to him. They took me to some small trees that over looked the valley. My

arms were pulled apart and each wrist tied to a tree. I could not believe what was happening.

"No!, no!, Xena!" I shouted as I fought unsuccessfully. She sat unemotional and watched as the soldier

pulled the armor and leather from my body. Only the thin cotton slip remained. With his dagger the

guard ripped the back , barely leaving enough material for it to stay up. The other guard stood ready

with whip in hand. Xena brought her mount around to face me. The cold , steel blue eyes seemed to

slice at my soul.

"An army is no army without LOYALTY! Even your grandfather would agree to that!" she said

reaching down and yanking the crest from my neck. You deserted your family, then you deserted

your army. You want to be a warrior, now you will learn a warrior?s lesson." She nodded to the

soldier. The sharp sting made my body jerk and twist from the pain. With every lash my mind struggled to close down, but the dark peace would not come.

The tears flowed down my face as I saw the blood run down my arm.

Before the seventh lash was given Xena signaled the soldier to stop. "Lucky you?re

not in my army" she said as she cut one of the ropes. I fell to my knees as one arm remained tied

to the tree. "Warrior!" she said as she pointed to the valley. "Watch as your army goes down in

defeat and learn this lesson well". As she rode away she suddenly stopped her mount.

"Oh, by the way, she said in a deep and disgusted tone, "GO HOME".

* * *

Too weak to stand I sat and watched "the lesson" unfold before my terrified eyes. The fires burned

out of control and the smoke bellowed over the armies as the battle raged on . Kassmar?s army was

taken by surprise. It did not take Xena?s army long to destroy what was once a powerful army and

for a while?my army. Xena as wicked as she was , had taught me a cruel lesson about loyalty to

one?s army, but more important to one?s family. I had a wonderful family to love, and love me, which

I deserted without even a word. There could be no family without loyalty.

 

 

 

* * *

 

My eyes began to mist as I looked at the green eyes across from me.

"Did you go back home?" she asked.

"Yes, yes I did. My family was glad to see me. My mother cried. She was so happy I was alive.

My father didn?t know whether to hug me or thrash me. That was the first time I ever saw

him cry. He was pretty mad at Xena for the beating, but "at least she didn?t kill you" he said.

I was never so happy to see all my brothers and sisters than that day. Grandfather looked sad as

I told him more details of what had happened. He, most of all , really understood. He said he was

sorry for filling my head with all those fun and adventurous ideas instead of the true nature of being a

warrior. He told me a warrior?s life was not an easy one and that?s why he thanked the Gods that

grandmother had come along and saved him."

"That?s how I felt when Gabrielle came into my life."

I froze as I heard her voice coming from behind me. I was so deep in my story telling that I did not

see Xena when she came in. Gabrielle looked up at Xena and smiled warmly. Xena came around to

face me. I was shaking. I could hardly look at her as I stood to face my past.

"Xena, this is Taylin and Taylin this is the NEW Xena" said Gabrielle.

"Hello Taylin" said Xena as she reached out to shake my hand. Chills ran down my body as I returned

the favor.

"Do you remember me? I said.

"Yes, but it took me a few moments to remember, until I saw your arm. Who would do that to such

a nice person I thought, then I remembered". "I remembered the young girl who wanted to be a

warrior. When I first met you I was very angry and mad with the world, darkness ruled my life.

When I saw you , I saw myself before the warrior days, and I was mad because deep down inside

I wanted that way of life again, back with my family. I could have just sent you away, but the evil

and self hatred that burned inside of me made me take it out on you. Gabrielle came along and helped

change my heart, no longer am I that wicked person you once knew. I am sorry, sorry for all the pain

I have caused you . I can only give you this, and beg for your forgiveness. "

Xena took and opened my hand, genitally placing my grandfather?s crest into my hand. "Ooooh", I said as my other hand covered my mouth and the tears filled my eyes.

"I kept it, all these years, it reminded me of you and you reminded me of myself during my innocent

days. It was like a little anchor holding on to life."

The warrior?s eyes were not the same eyes that terrorized me so long ago, they had been replaced,

replaced by kind and sorrowful ones.

"I guess you were right" I said as I looked at Gabrielle. "It is time to heal all the scars."

I hugged Xena and thanked her for the crest and Gabrielle for the strength to face my past.

My husband came over to see what was going on . "Excuse me, am I missing something over

here?" We looked at each other and began to laugh.

"Honey, these are my friends. Gabrielle and ? my teacher ?Xena.

THE END

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