Penname: WarriorKym
E-Mail: WarriorKym@Hotmail.com

     " Ha!" Gabrielle grunted as she twirled her staff towards Argo. The horse looked at her unimpressed .

     " Oh yeah?" Gabrielle asked and leaped at her again. " Oh whoops!" she said as the staff went flying into the forest, just as Xena exited it.

     " Hey! Give me that, I have to practice." she said as Xena caught it.

     " Not on my horse." Xena replied dryly. " What happened to attacking tree stumps?"

     " Argo has less splinters and she doesn't fight back...usually."

     " I wish the two of you would just get along." Xena sighed.

     " It's not like we're at constant war or anything. Argo just...doesn't like me." Gabrielle defended.

     " Sometimes you just have to have patience with the things that annoy you." Xena replied.

     " I never said she annoyed me."

     " Who says I was talking to you?" Xena said as she rubbed Argo's muzzle. Xena's back was to Gabrielle preventing her from seeing the grin she wore.

     " Ha Ha, very funny Xena."

     " There's a road just over there. Meet you two later." Xena said walking off.

     " Ah I see. You think if you leave us here alone we'll become friends huh?" Gabrielle asked knowingly.

     " Make sure you tighten the saddle." Xena said as she glided into the forest with a wide smile on her face. " I'm smiling way too much lately." She mused.

     " Tighten the saddle?" Gabrielle wondered.

     The sunlight glanced off the metal ring as it flew through the air, slicing swords and spears simultaneously. A little more fighting and the owners of the now useless weapons retreated into the forest..

     " All right Salmoneus, what's going on?" Xena demanded lifting him off his feet after his cry for assistance.

     " Hey quit that!" Gabrielle said to Argo from where they stood by the now sliced open barrels. Argo was drinking what appeared to be water, but she was doing it quite loudly and Gabrielle was trying to hear Salmoneus' explanation because she planned on chewing Xena out afterwards and that meant no explanation from the warrior herself.

     Finding she couldn't hear well enough. she grabbed a flask and walked over to them. " All this is is fizzy water!" she said holding it out almost as if proffering it as an excuse for her presence. They rather ignored her and kept talking. Gabrielle did her best to listen, but the way Xena was absentmindedly rubbing one spot on her neck was worrying her.

     " Talgamite?" Gabrielle butted in. What is that?"

     " It looks like metal and feels like metal, but it dissolves when it gets wet. And Lord Seltzer here, as they're calling him now, sold Tamadeus' army a whole weaponry full." Xena explained still rubbing her neck.

     " Yeah, good plan. Unfortunately it rained on their first battle." Salmoneus shook his head despondently.

     " So Now Ta...Talm...this guy's out for revenge?" Gabrielle asked.

     " You got it. I'm going to go...dissuade him." Xena commented, walking away.

     " Sal, did anything happen to Xena during the fight? Did she get hurt?" Gabrielle asked concerned.

     "They didn't lay a finger on her from what I could tell. Me, on the other hand..." Salmoneus walked away to examine and receive proper pity for his very minor "boo boos".

     " Uh-huh, " Gabrielle said, not convinced. " Maybe I'll just follow her and make sure she's okay." She told herself and took off.

     The well trained army marched solidly down the road. Ness, Tamadeus'' second in command, walked a few paces ahead ,regularly shouting orders.

     Gabrielle had to stifle a laugh that threatened to pour out of her as she watched Xena from her nearby perch in a tree.

     Xena slipped silently from the woods right behind the troop and marched with them or quite a good piece of road before Ness turned around to tell them something and saw her. She smiled and waved at him, infuriating him beyond belief. He yelled and charged at her, thoroughly confusing the men. All they saw was their second in command rushing at them, sword drawn. They disbanded in confusion just as Xena had predicted, leaving very little of a challenge. From there the fight turned typically Xena: Her wiping the road with all the attackers. Ness and the men were outta action before they even had a chance. That is, if they ever really had a chance to begin with. Next came Tamadeus. He wisely decided not to charge her and they circled each other, both testing the other's abilities. Blows started flying, then coming quicker, swords flew faster. They seemed pretty well-matched although Xena quickly took the offensive and the upperhand. Everything seemed to be going as usual, when suddenly Xena slowed down.

     Tamadeus was quick to take the advantage and soon Xena found herself doing her best just to keep up a defense. " Something's very wrong." Gabrielle thought as Tamadeus got closer and closer to Xena with each blow.

     " Ok Argo." She said climbing down and patting the horse she'd brought with her. " I know we have our differences, but Xena needs us now." She climbed up on her and whistled to gallop. Surprisingly, Argo complied!

     Xena was tete a la tete with Tamadeus now. Their swords were locked and he was pushing her down. After a valiant struggle, she fell. Laughing wildly, he poised his sword over Xena's heart, " Let it be remembered, I, Tamadeus, am the one who killed Xena!"

     " Not today!" A voice called out just as his sword began to lower. He looked up in surprise to see a young woman on horseback charging through his men. They were equally as surprised and actually stepped back to let her through! Xena used the time to roll away and stand up. Gabrielle pulled her up and onto Argo, who barley slowed as they flew past.

     " NOOO!!!" They heard Tamadeus yell after them.

     " You know, this was a really stupid time to try and keep something from me!" Gabrielle reprimanded as she undid Xena's clothing back at the factory. " You could have been killed!"

     " Gabrielle, yell at me later huh?" Xena said weakly.

     " Sorry.....I will you know..." Gabrielle soothed. " Yell at you later ...Xena, what happened?" Gabrielle said in a softer tone of voice.

     " Tolmic poisoning. I got hit with a dart this morning."

     " Why didn't you tell me?" Gabrielle asked trying to keep back the frustration as she gently laid Xena back and mopped her forehead with a wet rag. " Xena tell me the truth, how bad is it?"

     Xena sighed and turned her head away. " It's bad Gabrielle. I can't feel my legs or my arms and I'm having trouble thinking of good comebacks." She joked, trying to lighten the mood. Neither of them said anything for a minute and actually listened to Salmoneus who had been ranting in the background for the past few minutes about *someone* taking charge.

     " But..." Gabrielle said in a small voice. " You're going to be okay right?" she touched Xena's hand.

     " I don't know Gabrielle," Xena said squeezing her hand, " But whatever happens, you have to save these people."

     " I won't leave you Xena."

     " If you have to, you have to."

     " Xena..." Gabrielle started, but Xena had fallen into an exhausted uneasy sleep. " Oh Xena." she said quietly. " We haven't known each other that long and already I can't see my life without you. Gods know there wasn't much of a life to speak of before you came along. So much has happened. I care for you so much...more than a best friend? I don't know. You flirting with Ephiny made me mad, Hercules drives me crazy, Petracles and Marcus, huh," she snorted," I thought I was going to kill them. I left to go to the Academy because I couldn't be with you, not the way I was feeling...I still don't have all the answers. I'm not even sure what the questions are, but I know this, I need you Xena. Please don't leave me. Please..." Gabrielle broke into silent tears as she stroked Xena's face and repeated that last word over and over until she fell asleep too. " please...please..."

     " Gabrielle?" a voice called. " Wake up, come on, we need to do something! They're coming."

     " Ugh, go away Xena." Gabrielle groaned sitting up. Her arm brushed Xena's cold one as she did, causing remembrance to flood through her. She reached over and brushed Xena's damp hair our of her face tenderly.

     " Gabrielle." Salmoneus whined.

     " Oh ok. I have an idea." She said pulling herself away.

     " Gabrielle?" Xena asked weakly.

     " Yes? I'm right here Xena." She said quickly turning around.

     " Gabrielle, " Sal interrupted. " They're coming! Without Xena, we don't stand a chance!"

     " Then we'll just have to convince them I'm all right." Xena stated as she jumped accurately into the plan as usual.

     " So what do *you* think?" Gabrielle asked turning to Xena after Salmoneus' smart alec " I think I'd like a shallow grave." remark. Xena turned to look at her in her 'Xena' getup with an effort and grinned when the breastplate fell down.

     " My eyes are blue." she said choosing a much nicer remark than she could have.

     " And a very nice blue too." Gabrielle commented taking Xena by surprise. Salmoneus was tightening the breastplate. When he was done Gabrielle and Xena ran over the plan one more time.

     " Just get in and get out Gabrielle. No fancy moves. You need to focus ok? Don't think about me." Xena clarified.

     " Uh-huh, yeah right don't think about you." Gabrielle thought. Out loud she said." Yeah, I got it. I ride in, wave this wooden Chakrum thingy, yell, and ride out."

     " Great, let's get you going." Sal said pessimistically.

     " Xena, I'll be right back. All right?" Xena was already asleep with exhaustion as Gabrielle followed Salmoneus outside. He watched in amusement as Gabrielle formed a truce with Argo, then helped her climb up. " Gods be with you. " he smiled.

     Gabrielle's part took only a matter of minutes and came off smoothly, if you don't count the part where she forgot the gallop whistle and had Argo bow to Tamadeus and his men instead. " Um...I always bow to my enemies before destroying them." She said, thinking fast, then bolted outta there. She was elated as she returned.

     " It worked! It worked! They're coming!" she called as she rode in and took her position, fake Chakrum raised. As the attackers ran in, she threw it ( after making sure they saw her) and Xena threw her real one at the same time.

     It released a huge stream of the pressurized water knocking the warriors across the room. Defeated, they ran away leaving cheering villagers.

     Xena barley caught the returning Chakrum and using what was left of her dissolving strength, rolled over and knocked on a nearby barrel's side. Salmoneus poked his head out of the top.

     " The first battle's over." Xena said dryly.

     " First battle?! Ugh." Salmoneus said going back into the barrel.

     " Xena? Oh there you are. Are you okay?" Gabrielle asked running up to where Xena lay. " You look horrible."

     " Thanks."

     " Oh, you know what I mean! Xena, what can I do? I want to do something to help you." Gabrielle said unhappily.

     " Help?" Salmoneus asked climbing out of the barrel. " I know what will help! Soup, chicken soup. Plenty of chickens...just need a knife."

     " Take my breast dagger." Xena said. " it's in the pouch." she added calmly when he started reaching for her breasts.

     " Oh." He said, pulling back. " You know, a name change of that particular piece of equipment might be in order." he commented, then started off after a chicken.

     " Xena," Gabrielle said, once he was gone. " How are you?"

     " I'm fine."

     " Xe-" she paused, " Xena...I don't want the last thing you say to me to be a lie ...how bad is it?"

     Xena sighed and turned to face her. " I still don't know. It's a strong poison."

     " Are you going to live?" Gabrielle's voice quaked.

     " It's going to get worse before it gets better Gabrielle. You can't be worrying about me. I mean, this is what we do right? You have to save these people." Xena said quietly. " People like them used to be my victims. I remind myself of that everyday. Even if I die, you have to get them to safety. It's the greater good."

     " Xena, I can't-" Gabrielle started.

     " If I do...leave, I want to be buried at home next to my brother Lyceus." Xena said in almost a whisper.

     " Oh Xena...I'll be back." Gabrielle said stroking her face. Xena watched her go from where she had been pretending to sleep. " Gabrielle I'm sorry!" She thought. " I know how hard this is for you, but I can't comfort you or I'll just distract you more..."

     Candlemarks passed. Xena slept some, but mostly thought of what to tell Gabrielle when she came back. A voice called her out of her thoughts. She thought she'd heard her name called, then a loud thump.

     " Great, just great!" she thought as Nymis and Kalus, two of Tamadeus' huge henchmen, advanced towards her. She tried to lift her sword, but couldn't get a grip on it...

     " Ugh, my head!" Salmoneus groaned as he stood up rubbing his skull. " Xena?" he called, looking around. His eyes fell upon her, stretched out underneath a huge man with another one beside her, both obviously out cold. As he advanced towards her, Nymis moved slightly and Salmoneus dropped him back down with the barrel lid, then rolled the other goon off Xena.

     " Xena? Oh Xena! This is a trick right?" he begged. " Oh proud warrioress." he said pulling the blanket over her. " I will miss you." He sat quietly beside her realizing she had given up her life for his silly scheme and everyone else's lives. He heard a commotion downstairs and looked over the edge to see Gabrielle come running in. " Oh boy..." he thought as he hurried to intercept her. " Gabrielle..." he started interrupting her excited flow of words. She hushed and looked up at him. He watched fear and realization pass through her eyes. " Gabrielle! Wait!" He called after her as she took off up to the loft.

     " No..." She whispered seeing the blanketed form.

     " We tied up the warriors she fought." Salmoneus offered as he watched her remove the blanket from Xena's face. " Gabrielle, we have to get out of here." he said, trying to take her attention form her friend.

     Gabrielle sat stock-still beside her friend stroking her face. " Oh Xena...no. I won't cry now. I have to focus, just like you told me. I'll be back for you." she whispered, kissing Xena's cheek. She turned to Salmoneus and said calmly. " Those barrels over there can be used to make a defensive wall. It will take days to breach."

     " Defensive? Breach? Gabrielle, where'd you learn that?"

     " Gather all the food you can together. I'm going to Levadi. I think Iolaus is there." she ignored him.

     " You're leaving? I'm coming. " He said following her. " They'll kill me."

     " You stay here and guard Xena and these people!!!" Gabrielle yelled at him, some of her grief and annoyance coming out. She walked until she couldn't hold it back anymore and viciously attacked the nearest tree, tears flowing. " No no no!" she screamed hitting it until her knees gave out and she fell to the ground sobbing. " Oh Xena! What am I going to do without you?" she wailed. Eventually she stood up and headed off again. Hearing soldiers coming, she slipped quietly back into the woods and listened attentively.

     " See? I told you one of them would betray!" One soldier gloated. " You owe me ten dinars!"

     " Yeah, well. At least Xena's dead. Tamadeus got her body in the deal." The other said.

     " Deal? Ha, like Tamadeus is actually going to go through with it!" The first soldier laughed.

     " Oh for the love of Zeus!" Gabrielle cursed silently, and took off after them.

     " I'm taking her back home to be buried next to her brother!" Gabrielle hissed, challenging anyone to contradict her. She had just fought her way through all of Tamadeus' men and now held a sword to the newly freed Kalus'' throat.

     " Oh you are, are you?" he mocked her. " You don't even know how to hold a sword!"

     When Gabrielle readjusted her grip, Tamadeus realized Kalus was right and slapped it out of her hands. " Kalus! Hold her!" he directed and the huge man wrapped a beefy arm around her neck. " Tie Xena up!" he ordered the gawking men. Four horses stood ready and each of Xena's ankles and wrists were tied to one. " Ready?! Pull!"

     None of the horses moved, Argo having already talked to them.

     " It's Xena's horse! " Tamadeus realized. "Kill it!" One of his minions raised his sword. A hand suddenly shot up stopping the blow.

     " Don't ever touch my horse." Xena said calmly, throwing the surprised man away.

     " XENA!" Tamadeus growled.

      "XENA!" Gabrielle shouted joyfully.

     "XENA?!" Salmoneus said confused.

     "Nice to have you back!" Gabrielle said happily hugging her." DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN!!!" she threatened.

     " At least I get to kill *you*!" Tamadeus growled from somewhere in the distance, picking up Salmoneus from the ground.

     " Wrong again!" Xena grinned as she punched him. 'Lord Seltzer' dropped to the ground with a thud.

     " I'm so glad you're not dead Xena." Tamadeus said evilly as he stood up and rushed her, sword drawn. " It would have robbed me of the fun of killing you!" he smirked as their swords locked between them. He used his size and Xena's weakness to push her backward and bring his sword and his face even closer.

     " Yeah, but it would've saved me from your breath!" Xena smirked as she headbutted him. He stepped back just a little, and then more when she did it again. She used his staggering to quickly walk up him, wind her legs around his neck, and dive for the ground, flipping him into the water trough. The villagers surrounded him preventing any escape.

     " Xena," Gabrielle said running up to her and hugging her. " What happened? I...I thought you left me."

     " Sorry about that Gabrielle. The poison had to run its course. It just took a little longer than I thought it would." Xena said, hugging her back.

     " Thank-you so much Xena." Lord Seltzer gushed as he clasped Xena's arm. " You saved me and my people!" he reached up to kiss her, but she stepped backwards so he ended up kissing air.

     " Later 'lord seltzer'," she teased as she and Gabrielle and Argo walked away.

     " Ahem, Gabrielle?" Xena said after a minute. " Uh, you risked your life to take me home.. thank-you, that means a lot to me." she finished, embarrassed.

     " It was your dying wish Xena. Of course I did. For all the times you've pulled my butt out of Tartarus, it was nothing." Gabrielle said trying to lighten her part of it. " We still don't know who hit you with that dart."

     " Yeah, well, I get the feeling we'll know soon enough." Xena said pessimistically. " Thanks again Gabrielle."

     " No problem, now let's talk about something else before I get all soft on you."

     " We wouldn't want that." Xena grinned.

     It was evening and the stars has begun to show. Their tiny lights fascinated Gabrielle. She absently stirred the fire while she watched flicker after flicker appear in the sky. A noise from behind her caused her to turn.

     " Xena! I told you to go to sleep!" she reprimanded at the warrior who was trying to get something.

     " First of all Gabrielle, " Xena responded, making a defiant stare appear on her face, " You don't control me. And secondly," her face reddened a little. " I *did* go to sleep. I just needed a drink."

     Gabrielle grinned at her friend who had just admitted she'd done what Gabrielle'd asked her to do and in the same breath, defied her. She watched as Xena marched saucily over to where the waterskin was, take a long drink, and then with an overly defiant strut, walk back to her bedroll.

     Gabrielle watched amused...not to mention attentively while Xena asserted her independence. " Gods, she looks fabulous by firelight." Gabrielle thought. " Whoa!" her mind yelled back, " Where'd that come from?!"

     " Oh get real, " she argued with herself, " You now exactly where it came from. Something's changed..."