Her Xena was here, before her, and Gabrielle wanted nothing more in the world than to throw her arms around her and hold her tight. There was so much she wanted to say, but that would have to wait.  For now she was happy in the knowledge that she was finally home with the woman she loved.

 

“Good one Gabrielle,” Xena said. She’d seen her lover dodge the arrow, but she also saw the panic in Gabrielle’s eyes.

 

“Xena, let’s retreat.”

Xena flinched at the word but nodded her agreement. “We’ll deal with them later.  Come on.”

 

Xena grabbed a vine, wrapped an arm around Gabrielle’s waist and they swung out into the night…

 

 

******************************

Xena and Athena

 

Xena paced the floor of her rooms with Athena. She’d been locked up for only two days but it was driving her mad. Where had Athena gone? What the hell was she doing?  Her pacing halted as the sound of something like thunder exploded from the main hall, which was just below and to the right of the window to her room.  She looked down to see the gods of Olympus cheering and clapping as Demeter emerged from what looked to Xena to be a mirror.  Everyone was applauding except Athena.

 

The goddess’ eyes found Xena’s and for a second the deadness within them was replaced by heartbreaking pain.  Athena faded away from the celebration and appeared beside her.

 

“What’s going on Athena?”

 

The goddess of wisdom was quiet for a moment.  Instead of answering she went to sit on the bed, her shoulder’s sagging as if she were bearing a great weight. Perhaps she was.

 

“Sit with me Xena. I want us to talk.”

 

Xena didn’t know what was going on but she complied and sat facing Athena on the bed.  She fully expected her captor to fly into one of her notorious episodes of sexual frenzy but she only stared at Xena, her eyes looking tired and…old.  For the first time since Xena had met her, Athena looked old.

 

“A god from Gabrielle’s universe sent Hercules to retrieve her.”

 

Something in Xena’s heart broke. Gabrielle was gone and there was no chance she would ever see her again. She would have to live her life with no possibility of seeing her soul mate.  Depression couldn’t begin to describe the feeling’s in her heart now.

 

“She’s gone?”

 

“Yes.  Our universe is safe now. So are you.”

 

At first the words didn’t register with Xena, but when they did she didn’t truly believe them.  Athena never backed down. She never gave and she never sacrificed.

 

“What are you saying?”

 

“I’m saying, Xena, that I set you free. You no longer have to stay here. You no longer have to serve as my champion if you don’t want.”

 

Xena searched Athena’s eyes but all she found was truth.  “You never give in. Why are you doing it now?”

 

“Because of something you told me a couple of days ago.”

 

“What was that?”

 

Athena had to struggle to hold back the tears that threatened to burst from her eyes.  How long she would be successful she didn’t know. “You said I wanted to hurt you and control you. You said I wanted to own you…What hurts so much is you were right. I did want to do all those things. I wanted to do them because…I thought that’s what love was.”

 

Athena lost the battle to hold back her tears and they flowed freely from her eyes. Despite all the hurt and anger between them, Xena found herself pitying Athena.  She pulled the goddess close and stroked her hair.

 

“Xena, I know you don’t believe it but I really do love you. You made me happy and I wanted to do the same for you.  Now I see that to prove it I’m going to have to put your happiness above my own. I’m letting you go even though it hurts me because you’re everything to me. I love you.”

 

Xena held onto Athena as she wept rivers of tears that carried out years of unspoken pain on their powerful currents of emotion.  “Athena, I never thought I’d say this and really mean it but…I love you too. I really do. It’s just that being your champion is not the path I’m meant to walk.”

 

When Athena settled down she looked up into Xena’s beautiful blue eyes. Eyes she’d lost herself in so many times before.  “Where is your path?”

 

“With a young girl named Gabrielle.  The Gabrielle you tried to kill had told me that this girl was my soul mate but I didn’t want to believe it. Now I think she may be right.  I once heard her say that Xena and Gabrielle was more than a couple of names. We’re a concept. We stand for what’s right in the world and we stand for love, no matter what universe we’re in.  I am meant to roam the world with her, fighting evil and putting things right.  That’s what I’m going to do, with her by my side.  If she’ll have me that is.”

 

Xena stood but Athena turned her around so they could be face-to-face one last time. When she spoke she almost sounded afraid. “Xena.”

 

“It’s ok to let me go Athena. You’ll be fine without me.  You’ll know love again.”

 

Athena nodded but she didn’t believe in her heart.  “I once spent and eternity in your blue eyes, though it only lasted a moment.  Does that mean anything to you?”

 

“It means you love me.”

 

Xena pulled Athena into one last embrace, kissing her softly and deeply. They shared the kiss for a long time; each woman knowing it would be their last.  When it was over, Athena waved a hand over Xena, sending her to be with her soul mate.  However she wasn’t alone for long.  When she turned she found Zeus watching her.

 

“I’m proud of you my child.”

 

“Oh, Papa.  It hurts so much.”

 

“I know.  Love always does. That’s what makes it worthwhile.” 

 

She ran to him and he held her in a tight embrace.  For these few moments they were not the most powerful gods on Olympus.  They were just a father and his daughter.

 

******************************

Xena, Gabrielle and Callisto

 

Xena rode full speed toward the Amazon forests. She was almost there when a familiar figure stepped from the trees, blocking her path, and it was all she could do to pull her horse to a stop before she ran over the idiot.

 

When she had her nervous steed under control she found that the idiot in question was Joxer. He crossed his arms over his chest and gave her the biggest, most arrogant grin she’d ever seen.

 

“I would have thought you’d take the opportunity to run me over,” he said, his voice reflecting his smug grin.

 

She dismounted and drew her sword.  “No, but I’ll take this opportunity to run you through, you lying bastard.”

 

“Gabrielle.” 

 

Xena halted at the word and waited. “Well?  What about her?”

 

“Before she left Gabrielle asked me to tell you that she made it home safely.”

 

“I know. Athena told me.”

 

“I take it you’re going to see the others of your group now? She asked me to give them a message but since they’re with the Western Amazon’s, I can’t get it to them.”

 

Xena sheathed her sword and stood nose to nose with him as she had on so many occasions in their past.  “Maybe you should go.  They’ll rape you over and over again for days before they killed you. You’d get to die with a big grin on that floppy, beady-eyed, slack-jawed face of yours.”

 

He began to laugh, genuinely amused.  “Still sore about Miri huh?”

 

“You left me for my so-called best friend!  Wouldn’t you be sore about it?”  Xena pulled herself under control. She wasn’t going to give this bastard the satisfaction.  “Of course breaking up with you is the best thing that ever happened to me.”

 

“And vice-versa.  We went on to bigger and better things.  Like two of Olympus’ most powerful gods to be exact.”

“What’s the message Joxer?”

 

“She just wanted you to tell them she loved them and that she’s safe. She’ll never forget them. You know, the usual mushy stuff you women are in to.”

 

“Fine.  Good-bye.”

 

Xena mounted up but before she could ride off Joxer grabbed the reins of her horse.  “I’m sorry for betraying you. I mean that.”

 

Xena relented, but only a small amount. “It was years ago. I’m over it now, really. Good-bye Joxer. Maybe we’ll meet again one day.”

 

“I hope we do. It would be good to fight at your side again.”

 

“I wouldn’t go that far.” 

 

Xena took off for the Amazon forests. She had to find her soul mate before she lost her forever.

 

 

 

Gabrielle and Lila had spent two days learning to use a staff to defend themselves with while enjoying freedom from Marcus’ tyranny. They still couldn’t believe he was dead and no longer a threat to their families and friends. It was just too good to be true.  They were also getting used to calling their best friend Princess Callisto, and her majesty. It was hard to get used to for Callisto as well, and every time someone called her by her new title she flinched as if the person speaking to her had pinched her instead of acknowledging her new position in life.

 

Though Gabrielle loved her new home and her new sisters she found herself sick of all the togetherness. Every opportunity she got she went into the forests to write down her feelings on a scroll and to daydream about becoming a warrior at Xena’s side.  Not just a warrior:  A lover as well. She’d fallen hard for the tall, leggy, blue-eyed brunette, only to be rejected. What a let down. 

 

“Xena’s lover.  There’s a fantasy that will never come true.”

 

“What makes you say that?”

 

Gabrielle’s heart just about stopped in her chest at the sound of Xena’s voice. She stood to find the Warrior Princess herself leaning against a tree; her arms folded over hear substantial bosom and a wicked grin on her face. As their eyes met Gabrielle could feel an electrical charge on her skin, and so could Xena.

 

Why didn’t I see it before? Xena asked herself. She then quickly answered her own question.  Lust.  I was blinded by lust.

 

“Xena. What are you doing here?”

 

“I’ve come to ask you to forgive me for putting you off so easily.”

 

Gabrielle expected joy that Xena had apparently come back to retrieve her, but instead she found her heart filled with anger.  Never at a loss for words, Gabrielle let it all go.

 

“Oh, I get it. You decide you want me and I’m supposed to fall over with doe eyed adoration right?  What about the other Gabrielle?  She turn you down?”

 

Xena moved toward her and Gabrielle found herself backing away, almost in fear.  “You look scared Gabrielle.  You should know right now I would never hurt you.  I’ve spoken with Lila and Callisto.  The other Gabrielle is gone.”

 

“So I’m the leftover huh?”

 

Gabrielle turned away, trying her best not to pout childishly, but she couldn’t help her anger.  She felt like Xena was almost trying to use her.

Xena lay a hand on Gabrielle’s shoulder.

 

“Gabrielle, of course you’re not the leftovers. I’m going to tell you the truth:  I was taken with the other Gabrielle because I thought she was my soul mate. I see now that I was wrong. You’re my soul mate.  All I’m asking is that you give me a chance to prove I’m sincere.”

 

Gabrielle turned to Xena, her anger cooling.  “You know, I feel things when I’m with you Xena, that I’ve never felt with anyone else. It’s like my skin is crawling but in a good way. I feel like Zeus’ lightning bolts are moving across my skin or something.”

 

Xena knew exactly what Gabrielle meant. They’d shared an instant bond almost immediately.  “I know. It’s like we’re linked.  Gabrielle we are meant to be together. We’re meant to face the world and make it a better place to live in.  Let’s leave this place and start a life of our own. Please.  There is so much I can learn from you. I have so much to teach you if you’ll just give me a chance.”

 

The sight of Xena’s incredible blue eyes and, her rosy lips and sweet breath all served to melt Gabrielle’s heart. Not to mention the feel of her flesh against her arm.  Gabrielle had never really known desire before this moment. They were alone in the forest and dangerously close to one another. Gabrielle’s voice was barely above a whisper.

 

“Ok. I’ll go with you. But there’s one lesson I want to learn right now or I’m not going.”

 

“What?” Xena asked, just as breathless as Gabrielle.

 

“Sex.”

 

******************************

Xena and Gabrielle

Home

 

Gabrielle watched her lover as she scrubbed herself clean in the lake, just beneath the waterfall.  She’d never known happiness like she knew right now. She was safe with the one she loved, and apparently she was the only one aware of what had happened without her presence.

 

This also worried Gabrielle. She’d done her best to teach Xena about true, selfless love. Despite all her efforts Xena had gone back to her old ways without her. What if something happened to her again?  What if she died and no one intervened in time to save her?  It was so unsettling.

 

Xena exited the water, seeing that something was bothering her love.  This confused Xena since for the past two days they’d been making love almost non-stop.  Now the day was hot and they had both been in the cold water of the lake, now they were drying in the sun, and Gabrielle’s happiness seemed to be gone.

 

“What’s the matter darling?” Xena said. She settled in next to Gabrielle and they shared a deep, soulful kiss.

 

“Nothing really.”

”I know you better than that Gabrielle.  Spit it out.  Please?”

 

“What would you do if I had been killed by Apollo’s priests the other night?”

 

Xena gave it some long, serious thought before she answered. “I would have hunted them down and killed them all.”

 

Gabrielle was disappointed by Xena’s answer and she said as much.  “Xena!  What about all the promises not to return to your old ways if something happened to me?”

 

“I know. You wanted me to be honest right? That’s honest for me.  If you had been murdered I would have avenged you.  I’ve come a long way Gabrielle but I still have a long way to go.”

 

“Then I’ll just have to keep working on you I suppose.”

 

Xena smiled one of her most devilish smiles.  “Oh I hope you do.”

 

It was clear where Xena wanted to go from there but Gabrielle wasn’t quite finished yet. “How do you feel about Varia?”

 

Now Xena was really confused.  “Varia? Well, she’s obnoxious and irritating-“

 

“Xena-“

 

“But she’s a good warrior. She’s got great legs.  Nice tits.  She’s got an ass to kill for-“

 

“Xena!”

 

“You asked.”

 

Gabrielle dissolved into laughter and Xena relaxed.  This was the way she liked to see her baby.  “I love you Gabrielle.”

 

“I love you too Xena.”

 

“So what were you writing?”

 

Gabrielle looked at the scroll that chronicled her adventures in the alternate universe then turned to Xena with another big grin.

 

“Xena, have I got a story for you…”

 

 

The End