Elsewhere in the camp, a collective sigh was released, as the other women sleeping in their respective places, slipped deeper into their dreams, a widespread layer of relief seeming to invade their thoughts, and ease any further darkness that lingered over them. Lover's snuggled closer, relaxing confidently in each other's embrace. Even the various pets and horses etc that shared the camp with their human counterparts seemed to relax, and settle into their nightly dosing.

Just before dawn, Xena slowly opened her eyes, and shook her head slightly, being careful not to disturb her lover. She toyed with the idea of slipping out into the cool morning air to stretch, and do her rounds. She looked down at the sleeping form clinging to her, and shook her head no. There was not much in this world at the moment, that could persuade her to let go of this miracle woman she so cherished. Slowly she closed her eyes, and allowed sleep to overtake her once again.

A few candlemarks later, the pair were awakened by a snuffling, squeaking sound. Quickly reaching for a weapon, Xena sat bolt upright, and swiftly rose to a crouch searching the half-light for signs of whatever was making that noise. She panned the area around them with a sweep of her sword, but still could not see what had made the noise. Gabrielle began to stir, and Xena reached over and lightly covered her mouth with her hand. Gabrielle became instantly alert, and began listening to the noises surrounding them. She felt something brush by her ankle under the covers, and looking down she could see the blanket move. Stifling a scream, she grabbed Xena's arm, and pointed in the direction of the moving blanket. Raising her sword arm defensively, she reached for the corner of the blanket, and threw it back ready to dispatch the intruder with a quick chop of her blade.

Scuttling away from the attack, was the little minion that had held Xena's soul. Apparently it had been pulled through the gateway still wrapped in Gabrielle's arms. "WHAT IN TARTARUS IS THAT?" Xena shouted. Giggling, Gabrielle reached out and grabbed the creature, snuggling it into her arms. "Oh, Xena, that's the minion, the one that stole your soul. Isn't he cute?" "Yeah, real cute. Now get that nasty thing out of our bed." Patting the little animal on the head, Gabrielle set him on the floor, and shooed him away. Reluctantly he waddled over near a rock, and curled up on the floor of the cavern, looking very dejected.

Looking over at first him, and then Xena, Gabrielle thrust her bottom lip out in a pout, and then sniffled a little to show her lover that she felt sorry for the little critter. Sighing, with a very dramatic shrug of her shoulders, Xena, of course not one to ever say no to Gabrielle, gestured with a kind of "I don't care" attitude, and then snapped her fingers, and whistled for the beast to come back over and join them. Giggling again, this time with delight, she scooped the animal into her arms again, and whispered little baby things to him. Xena rolled her eyes, and decided she would take this opportunity to see who else was up, and to check on Argo.

Kissing the top of Gabrielle's head, she received a wave of the hand, and sighing she gathered her sword, and dressing in her leathers, wandered out of the cavern into the misty morning. Several of the women were up, making preparations for the wedding, and the festivities to follow. Another smaller group was making breakfast for the camp. Xena made a mental note to return, and grab something for her ever-hungry companion.

Checking on Argo, she brushed her coat with the care, and love that she displayed to her silent but faithful friend. "You are always there for me aren't you girl? Listening to my troubles, and putting up with my girlfriend. I really appreciate that you know. You are undoubtedly the best." Argo snuffled her hair, and pulled on a few strands with her soft lips. "I think you're pretty special too." Replied the horse. REPLIED THE HORSE!? Drawing her sword, she carefully stepped around Argo, and found Cat sitting on a hay bale just far enough so that Xena didn't see her sitting there.

Returning her sword to her scabbard, she growled menacingly at her friend, before swooping her up into her arms, with a bone-crushing hug. "Hey there, take it easy, you're smashing me. Wow, I guess this must be love or something eh? Glad to see you too ya big lug." Pushing her friend back to look at her, Cat was startled to see tears sliding down her cheeks from her dazzling blue eyes. Catching a tear with the end of her finger, she hugged her friend again, and stroking her hair, murmured soft words into her ear. "Hey it's okay, I gotcha. Don't worry . . . .It's over. You're back, she's here, everything is fine."

Angrily wiping her face with the back of her hand, Xena released the hold she had on her friend, and stepped away, turning her back on her. "I . . . didn't mean to break down like that. I . . . . feel stupid, inadequate, almost useless." Cat pursed her lips considering this. "Why? Because the love of your lifetime had to step in and save your hide? There is no shame in that Xena. It is high time you learned that relationships have to be mutual. There is no more dishonor involved with Gabrielle saving your soul, than there is when you save her life . . . repeatedly. Don't be so hard on yourself. We can't always be the toughest, meanest, most in control. Sometimes we have to indulge ourselves in a little humanity. You needed help, and your soulmate, lover, best friend in the whole world stepped into your boots, and rescued your soul. You should be grateful, and relieved, and happy. Not angry. Love her, and yourself together. Don't beat yourself up."

Xena considered her friend's words, and then heaving a huge dramatic sigh, stepped back into Cat's offered embrace. They squeezed each other tightly, both for the emotions of the moment, and for the past. "You know," Xena chuckled slightly, "she is going to track you down, and make you tell her our story. You will find that she is extremely stubborn, when she wants to know something. She's relentless. Sometimes I wish she had been around when I was interrogating enemies. She would have been great."

Chuckling again with her friend, Cat sat back down on her hay bale, and bowing her head, ran her hands through her short graying hair. "I have no problem telling her our story, but my real question is what about you? Is there anything you would rather I not share with her?"

Considering Cat's question, Xena shook her head, and decided right then and there, that there would be no more deception, or filtering of information to protect Gabrielle. "I don't think so. It is time that she knows more about the person she gave her heart to. And I can't think of a better story teller than you." Clasping Cat's hand, she gave it a squeeze, and then winked at her. Mirroring her companion, they both raised their left eyebrows in synch with each other.

Mumbling something about copycats, Cat rose and stretching until she could hear her back pop, she swiftly shifted into her panther mode, and rubbing up against first Xena's legs, and then snuffling Argo, she left the horse and her mistress to contemplate the future together.

Xena refilled Argo's water, and food, and then was preparing to return to the cavern where she had left Gabrielle, when another figure approached her. Being cautious, but not yet pulling out her sword, she was surprised to see a very strong almost warrior type woman, who was totally unarmed. And she was blind. "What can I do for you?" she ventured politely. The woman turned towards the voice, and then blushing, she cleared her throat to reply. "My name is Alethera. I . . .I was a pawn in Ares plans to destroy Gabrielle, and return you to his side. He had asked me to kill her, and you, if I saw the need, but I was not able to carry out his wishes. I sought you out to apologize."

Xena considered the warrior's words, and then replied with a certain amount of personal knowledge. "There is no need to apologize for a deed left undone. It looks as though you paid for your uncertainties. Did Ares take your sight from you?" Alethera shook her head no. "My sight was taken during the search for your missing soul. Ares had transformed me into a beast of great magnitude. It was his intention that I redeem myself, by stopping your friends from reaching their goal. Gabrielle prevented the others from ending my existence, and then had the Goddesses present return me here with the rest of them. She asked that my sight not be returned, so that I may learn to live . . . differently than as a warrior."

Xena considered this, and then helping Alethera to the hay bale, paced in front of her in thought. "Do you want to stay with the members of the gathering?" she asked. "I would like to try. I have no where else to go, however, I don't want to make myself a burden on the rest of the group. Without my sight, I am helpless."

Xena reached out, and taking hold of Alethera's arm, guided her back to where the others were gathering for breakfast. A young woman came from the group, and took Alethera's arm. "Come now, join us for breakfast, and then I will help you get a feel for the camp." The young woman turned and smiling at Xena, winked, letting her know that Alethera would be well taken care of.

Xena filled a plate with food for herself and Gabrielle, and then wandered back to the cavern they were sharing. When she arrived, Gabrielle was sitting on their blankets, talking animatedly with the little pig/lizard. "Oh Xena, it's you. Xena he can talk. He is so cute, and so smart. He was just telling me about how Ares caught him, and made him take your soul. He's very sorry by the way, but he had no choice. He really is a pig, but Ares combined him with something from the darkness that he lives in. His name is Dotus. Dotus, this is Xena." Xena rolled her eyes at Gabrielle, and then mumbled her greetings in the direction of the pig/lizard.

Xena set the food tray down in front of Gabrielle, who promptly dug in with both hands. "Ooh, Xena I'm starved. This is great. Would you like something? You need to eat; you're looking a little on the thin side. Oh, and Dotus, here's an apple, you should eat too." Smiling indulgently at the torrent of words coming out of her lover's mouth, Xena reached for a pear, and some of the rich dark bread the women had been baking. Gabrielle shifted so she was sitting in the curve of Xena's leg, leaning against her shoulder.

Dotus finished his apple, and then excused himself. The two women bade him farewell, and then finished their lunch, content to just be close to each other. Xena cleared her throat, and broke the quiet. "So, what did you and your little friend talk about? I was surprised to see him leave." Gabrielle wiped her hands on a piece of linen, and kissed the side of Xena's chin. "He is going to be the companion of another person that we brought back from our encounter with Ares. She is blind, and needs someone to help her see. They are both alone, so they decided to travel together." Xena smiled, and then pulling Gabrielle closer, told her about her encounter with Alethera. "I believe that it is the intent of the gathering to assure her safe passage, and a place to stay." She said.

Gabrielle thought that was the nicest thing they could do for her. "It was my decision to leave her blind you know Xena. They implied that they could restore her sight, but I thought she might go back to being a killer if I let them. I am not sure if I made the right decision, but I guess I have to live with it." Xena closed her eyes and thought for a moment. "I would have expected you to do no less for me Gabrielle. If I were in that situation, I would want to remain blind. I may not have liked it in the beginning, but I would have tried to learn from it, and learn to adapt. You remember I almost lost my eyesight, and if not for you, I would still be blind. Either way, as long as you are with me, I need nothing else."

Xena lowered her lips to Gabrielle's, and drew her in for a long a passionate kiss. She felt like she had been stranded in the desert, with no water to drink. She drank of her love with a barely contained passion. Risking being caught, she rose, and lifting Gabrielle in her arms carried her to the hot springs. Slowly she removed Gabrielle's top, and then helped her from her skirt. Her mate stepped forward, still silent, and loosened the ties on the leather dress her warrior was wearing. Assisting her in lifting first the leathers, and then the shift she wore over her head, Gabrielle knelt down and unlaced Xena's boots, and balanced her while she stepped out of them. Lifting her naked lover into her arms, Xena stepped carefully into the hot spring, and then lowered the two of them into the steamy water. She drew Gabrielle closer to her own body, and nearly fainted as the bard's soft skin slipped over her own.

"I have missed you so much my love. For the first time in a very long time, I feel whole again. I love you Gabrielle." She breathed softly into her lover's soft ear. "I love you too Xena and I missed you very much. There is nothing in this world or this life, that I would not do for you." She whispered back. They began a slow exploration of each other, as though it was the first time for them both. Kisses as sweet as the dawn, and as strong as the winds on the ocean were shared between the two lovers'. All awareness of time and place left them as they carried each other to the highest levels of passion and love.

A candlemark or so later, the two women were snuggling contentedly on a small ledge near the edge of the pool, relaxing and whispering to each other as the hot spring water swirled around them. A group of women came to bathe, and start preparing themselves for the wedding. "Oh, we're sorry, are we disturbing you?" asked DaSis. The two exchanged a knowing glance, and then Gabrielle smiled and answered them. "We were just getting ready to go back to our own cave and dress for the wedding. The water is so inviting, and we thought we would bathe first." They all smiled and giggled, and waved to the two as they beat a hasty retreat, giggling to themselves as well.

Back in their own cave, Gabrielle dug around in her bags until she came up with pieces of her Amazon Queen outfit. She really didn't want to wear all of the feathers and such, but she wanted to look nice. Xena chuckled to herself, as she watched the frustration build on her mate's face. "Hang on there, love. I've got a surprise for you." Turning, Gabrielle was stunned to see a gorgeous emerald green and rust outfit suddenly appear in her warrior's grasp. It had short capped sleeves, with beautiful embroidery along the edges. The top stopped just short of her midriff, with the same embroidered pattern around the edge. The skirt was in a deep rust suede, and fell just above her knees. It was similar to her road outfit, but much prettier.

Xena stood there for a moment waiting to see if her choice was incorrect. Suddenly with a whoop, her arms were filled with flying bard. "Oh Xena, it is absolutely gorgeous. How did you know? I mean, well, I guess I know how you knew, but well . . . . " Pleased by Gabrielle's reaction to her gift, she smiled a brilliant smile. Whispering in Xena's ear, Gabrielle continued. "You know Xena, you never thought you were much of a romantic, but sometimes you just say and do the most romantic things. You just surprise me. You know….I do love you so very much. All of you." Xena placed a small kiss in the hollow of Gabrielle's neck. More to hide her blush at the compliments she was receiving, than anything else. "I . . .I . . .well, it's just easy for me to do things for you Gabrielle. Because I too love all of you." She stammered.

She would have considered continuing her kissing of the bard, but realized that would probably lead to other things, and well, they wouldn't want to be late for the wedding. They finished dressing, Xena in her full armor and leather, and Gabrielle in her new outfit. They made a striking couple, and this did not go unnoticed by the rest of the assembled group. Taking their place with the rest of the women, a hush settled over the crowd, as the priestess joined them, and stood on a raised platform at the front of the assembly. She had come from a village many days out, and had a close association with the members of the gathering. She had been present at many of their respective joinings, and so was familiar with most of those attending.

DaSis approached the platform, and began singing a beautiful song to signal the arrival of the betrothed. The women, who were not otherwise engaged in the journey of recovering Xena's soul, had spent the previous day, decorating the entire area with flowers, and other symbols of beauty and love. KW refusing to sleep until everything was perfect, spent the entire night with her crew preparing the food for the party after. Every detail was planned and executed perfectly.

The two women who were to be married, Quest and Hecate, walked slowly to the platform, hands held tightly, both visibly nervous. They bowed to the priestess, and then turned and bowed to the crowd. The priestess raised her hands high, and beseeched the Goddesses, the Fates, and all of womankind to bless this union. She talked about the importance of finding your match, the perfect mate to your soul. Even with all the foibles, and stumbling blocks that we experience as humans, once that bond is established, there will be always forgiveness for our one true love. And somewhere, some way, some time, there is a soulmate for everyone.

While the priestess continued the ceremony, Xena looked down to see a small tear slip down Gabrielle's cheek. Wrapping her hand around her soulmate's smaller hand, she squeezed lightly until Gabrielle looked up. "What's wrong?" Xena whispered. Holding back a torrent of sobs, Gabrielle buried her face in the front of Xena's armor. Stepping back from the crowd, still holding her lover in her arms, she leaned down to ask her again what was wrong. "I . . .I . . .I don't ever want to lose you again. I don't ever want to be separated from you again. I love you so much it hurts." She sobbed. Shaken by the strength of Gabrielle's display, Xena held her tighter, and quietly vowed to her that nothing, Gods, Goddesses, wild animals, or death would ever take her love away from Gabrielle. Nothing would ever separate them again. Sniffling, Gabrielle looked deeply into Xena's eyes, and then asked her, "Promise?" Without hesitation, Xena promised her. "With all of my heart."

Xena carefully wiped Gabrielle's tears away, and then holding her closely, returned her attention to the wedding ceremony. The priestess concluded her speech, and then the two lovers' spoke their own words of love and commitment to each other. The two exchanged rings, and then kissed each other before the wildly cheering crowd. Xena chose this moment to bend lower, and softly kiss Gabrielle's lips. Gabrielle looked up into the bright blue eyes of her warrior, and smiled one of the most brilliant smiles Xena had ever seen. So full of love, trust, and devotion was that smile, it almost made her heart burst. I must be the luckiest person in the known world, she thought to herself.

The crowd started to move forward, to embrace and congratulate the newlyweds. Xena and Gabrielle joined them briefly, and then passing by Cat and Chrisanna, told them they would be back shortly, that they wanted to take a quick walk together. Cat and Chrisanna smiled at each other, and then Cat winked at her two friends. "Better not take too long, or KW will have your hide Xena." Both women blushed, and then assured them that they wouldn't be gone long.

A little way out of earshot, Xena stopped Gabrielle, and taking both her hands into her own, took a moment, to just look into Gabrielle's eyes. Gabrielle could feel the trembling in the warrior, and for a moment became concerned that she was going to hear something she didn't want to. Her fears were quickly allayed, as to her surprise, Xena got down on both knees and wrapped her arms around Gabrielle's waist, laying her head against the bard's stomach. Stroking her hair, Gabrielle whispered to her beloved, "Talk to me Xena, tell me what's wrong." Xena looked up then and smiled. "It's not what's wrong Gabrielle, it's what's right. I just want to be able to give you all of the love, honesty, trust and devotion that you deserve. I never want to see you hurt, sad, hungry or cold. I never want you to want. If for even a moment hesitate, and think that you might be unhappy with me, then kill me now. Because that's how serious I am about my love for you."

The warrior's declaration of love, and her act of complete submission to her love, brought on a whole new torrent of tears in the little bard. To have Xena trust her, and love her so completely, was almost more than her own heart could bear. Falling into Xena's warm, embrace, Gabrielle sobbed almost uncontrollably. "Hey, I didn't want you to cry!" Xena blurted out concerned. Gabrielle laughed through her tears, and then cupping her beloved's face in her hands, kissed her. Over and over again, covering her face with kisses. "These are happy tears, love. The happiest I've ever been. Now, shut up and hold me."

They stayed in each other's arms there on the ground for a short time, and then the music, and the excitement of the wedding festivities drifted in their direction, and they decided it was time to join the fun. As they approached the common area, Cat came whirling out of the dance circle, and spinning back through the crowd, dragged Gabrielle in with her for a fast jig or two. Chrisanna sidled up to Xena, and handing her a mug of ale, whispered out of the corner of her mouth. "I don't know what I would do, if she ever grew up." Xena laughed so hard, she almost spit her ale at the swirling group of dancers. "I know what you mean, she is so full of life, and so much fun. How much ale has she had anyway?"

Chrisanna grabbed Xena's arm, and back her a little ways from the crowd. "I forgot, you didn't know. She can't drink anymore. She was taken very ill several moons ago. We thought she might not survive. She was constantly thirsty, and kept having these terrible headaches. And she wasn't able to shape change. I took her to one of the best healer's around. They said she has a sickness of the blood, and as long as she is careful about what she eats, and gets plenty of exercise, then she would recover. She has to eat lots of greens, and no alcohol or sweets. She was mad for a few days, but then she realized that it meant the difference between living and dying, and she decided this was not the time to die. She tries really hard to take care of herself, but it's rough you know. She is so busy, taking care of her responsibilities, and of her friends, and family that she doesn't leave a lot of time for herself. She's getting better though."

Xena was shocked and troubled by her friend's tale. She didn't know what she would do if Cat had died, and she hadn't been able to see her again, or been able to share her love for Gabrielle with her. They had been through some major things together, and even through her worst, most deadly times, Cat had always been a friend. She made a mental note, to spend some time with her alone, before she and Gabrielle left. She knew that Gabrielle had a league long list of questions for Cat anyway, and being the accommodating person she was, Cat would feel that she should answer everything, as truthfully, and as detailed as possible. Ugh, this will take days, Xena thought grimly.

After the tickle attack, Xena and Gabrielle took a moment to just gaze into each other's eyes silently calculating the turmoil of their past, and praying for an easier future. Both knew of course that the odds of that happening were one in a million, but it was nice to dream. Xena especially struggled with the unkowns of their future. She carried a great fear in her heart for Gabrielle. She would still wonder why such a sweet, loving person could fall in love with, and want to spend her life with, a former Warlord whose hands were soaked in blood.

"What are you thinking about, love?" Gabrielle asked worriedly. "You have such a sad look on your face. You should be happy, right? We fixed you up, right?" Xena pulled her closer, and gave her a fierce hug. "I love you Gabrielle. I love you so much, and that scares me. Because Gods like Ares, former enemies of mine, and who knows what else continue to interfere in our lives. I can't fathom how I would react if something took you away from me. I've been through it once, and I don't want to go through it again."

Gabrielle donned her disguise of "protector", and rising to her knees, held her warrior princess in her arms. "Well, I love you, and I will not accept this scary line of thought from you anymore. It's good to be fearful sometimes, Xena, because it keeps you on your toes. You told me that yourself. But I don't want to share my good thoughts, with those bad thoughts. So just plan to have me around for a while. We make a formidable team, and we will stop anyone who tries to mess with us."

Xena smiled against Gabrielle's chest. How lucky I am to be loved by such a feisty little critter.

Taking advantage of the position they were in, Xena quickly rose, and lifting Gabrielle with her as she stood, kissed her deeply, and then strode out of the cave, and into the morning light. "PUT ME DOWN!" Gabrielle huffed exasperated. Drawn by the sound, several of the women in camp turned, and waved and laughed at the scene passing before them. Blushing, Gabrielle nipped the skin on Xena's shoulder, and struggled to be put down. "Now, don't bite me, you don't know what kinda reaction that might get you." Blushing again, even redder this time, Gabrielle slapped Xena's arm, and then decided a tickle in just the right spot was in order. Xena started to chuckle, and the combination of laughing, and a wiggling bard, finally accomplished Gabrielle's goal.

Standing back in the common dining area, Cat and Chrisanna were elbowing each other, enjoying the commotion their friends were stirring up. Cat wrapped her arms around Chrisanna's neck, and tried to get her lover to pick her up. Of course, being slightly heavier, she almost got dropped on her rear end. Quickly Cat shifted to a humming bird shape, and darted past her mate hell-bent towards her friends. Stopping only inches from Xena's nose, she caught her eye and winked, and then zoomed past her, and hovered in front of Gabrielle for a moment. Gabrielle put her hand out, and the little bird landed carefully on her finger.

"Be careful, Gabrielle, that is the dreaded Humming Cat Bird. If it doesn't poop in your hand, it might nest in your hair." Xena said seriously, eyebrow raised for emphasis. Gabrielle shot her a side-glance, and then bringing the bird closer to her face, whispered to her, "If she were my friend, I would poop on her."

The little bird seemed to chuckle, and then took off, and zoomed back to the dining area. Shifting rapidly, she sat at the table and waited with feigned impatience for their guests. "Well, it's about time you two showed up. Sheesh, I could have eaten ten times by now." Cat winked at them with a sly grin. Chrisanna rose, joined by Xena and ventured over to the food line to fill platters for the group.

Gabrielle stole that moment, to ask Cat some questions that had been burning in her mind. "Cat," she whispered, "How long have you actually known Xena? I mean, it sounds like forever, but she never ever said anything about you, and you two seem to really care about each other a lot. I don't want to push it too much with her, because well, it might make her angry, and I don't want her angry with me now, especially since we just fixed her anxiety problem. And a shape shifter! Wow, I mean I had no idea, and when did you find out about that? Has it been hard? Does it hurt? What about being an empath? Does that hurt? Were you born this way?"

Quickly Cat reached across the table, and placed two fingers against Gabrielle's lips. "Shhh, I gotcha, the history of the world as we know it part one. Okay, I'll try to answer as many as I can." She took a quick drink of water, and then cleared her throat to begin her story.

Just as she took a deep breath, Xena and Chrisanna returned to the table. Looking suspiciously at them, Xena crooked an eyebrow, and then with a twinkle in her eye leaned over Cat's shoulder, and very quietly spoke into her ear. "Talking about me were you?" Cat gulped, and then suppressing a fit of the giggles, turned her head, and kissed her friend on the cheek. "Would I do that to you? Not me, I would never talk about you behind your back. Un uh, that's not something I would do."

Xena chuckled, and then straightening up, turned to Chrisanna, and said, "What say you and I eat over under the trees, that way Cat can not talk about me behind my back some more." Chrisanna slapped her on the back, and then nodded and the two took their share of the food, and walked far enough away, so as not to overhear what their mates were whispering about.

Cat took her deep breath, and then told Gabrielle about the first time she met Xena. Her parents had been killed when a group of raiders had attacked their village. She struck out on her own, and traveled the known world, telling tales, fortunes, and doing other odd jobs to make her way. Eventually her travels brought her to the Inn in Amphipolis.

Extremely shy, and quiet, she took care of her business, and then usually stayed to herself. "I was about 18, and I had already begun to experience different facets of my shifting and empathic abilities."

"Did anyone else know about your abilities?" Gabrielle interrupted.

"No, no one knew, and I was too terrified to tell anyone about it. The last thing I wanted was to be different, and I was having a hard time controlling my shifts under stress. Too late, I began to realize that there were times that I had to shift, or it would happen anyway, whether I wanted it to or not. I tried to go as far away from the main village as I could safely, without endangering myself, or the people around me." She looked over to the two women that they had given their hearts to. Xena caught her eye, and smiled some encouragement. She knew that the first part of their stories could be quite painful for Cat.

Gabrielle shifted impatiently. Cat turned her attention back to her audience of one, and then smiled. "Anyway, I snuck away from the Inn, and since I didn't know the area very well, I decided to sneak into the Inn's stable. I sat down on the floor in one of the stalls, and closing my eyes, I attempted to do a controlled shift. My first choice was a horse, but I failed at the first try, so I decided a chicken was probably more realistic. I managed to complete the shift, and was turning around to look at my feet and feathers, when the door to the stable opened. A young girl, with hair as black a raven's wings, just a teenager, came crashing in calling "here chickie chickie, mom wants to cook something nice for dinner!"" Cat looked at Gabrielle, and could tell by her careful attempt to control the giggles, that she had figured out that the girl was Xena, and Cat was about to become dinner.

Clearing her throat, she drank some more water, and then returned to her story. "I tried to hide under some hay, but she eventually found me. Panicking, I ran as fast my little legs could carry me. I squawked, and screeched attempting to tell her that I was really human. Of course she couldn't understand me."

"Why didn't you shift again?" Gabrielle interjected.

Grimacing like she thought the answer would be obvious, Cat continued. "I was new at this sort of thing, and I was scared half to death. She was carrying a long knife, and it was apparent, that she was not afraid to kill a chicken, or anything else for that matter. She grabbed me by the feet, and was about to cut off my head, when I finally changed in a hurry. Unfortunately, I chose a rather large snake, which if she had been a little faster, definitely would have sealed my fate. Fortunately for me, she realized that something strange had happened, and stopped herself from killing me."

Cat wiped the sweat that had formed on her forehead off with the back of her hand. Because she was an empath, the retelling of the story, caused her to still feel some of the emotions associated with it. "Xena stepped back a few paces, and squatting on her heels, asked me point blank who I was, and what I was doing in their barn. She showed no fear whatsoever, and really was not that startled that I had shifted."

Gabrielle started to interrupt again, when Cat shot her a very familiar raised eyebrow.

"Calming down enough to return to my human self, I sat back, and stared at her for a moment or two. "You aren't going to tell anyone are you?" I asked. She shook her head no, and then holding my head in my hands, I told her everything I felt, about being scared, and not being sure what was happening to me, and fearing that someone might kill me because I was a witch or something. She assured me that she wouldn't tell, and she wouldn't kill me." Cat looked at her friend again, and received another encouraging smile.

"We spent several days together, talking about my abilities, and practicing my shifts, and empathic skills as well. I had spent some time with my father learning sword skills, and carried a sword for protection, and Xena asked me to share some of my tricks with her. Her mother thought it was great that we had become such fast friends. We spent just about every minute together after she found me. I even camped out under the stars with her, and told stories, and got to know her. She was a tough kid, and spent more time playing with, and pounding on the boys, than she did any girlish pursuits. Kinda like me in a way. Anyway, it came time for us to leave, and I didn't want to go. Xena didn't want me to leave either. I had no one else to share my secrets with, and she would lose the only person that really understood her." Cat stood to stretch her stiff muscles.

Sitting again, she encouraged Gabrielle to stand up as well. "I can tell you are getting to the real meat of the story, and I can't wait, please go on." Smiling at her audience, she continued the story. "I had my bags packed, and was on my way to say thank you to Cyrene. Xena came to my room, and knocking quietly entered. She stood there for a moment, and then looking me in the eye, asked me straight out if she could come with me. I was stunned, and then shook my head no. I told her she had to stay with her mom, and help out. With no father around, and just a little brother or two, her mom needed her help. We argued about it for quite a while, and then turning her back on me, she stomped out the door and disappeared. I could feel her pain, as she fought her tears, and then I lost the ability to control my own tears." Gabrielle could see a small tear escaping from the corner of Cat's eye.

Wiping away the tear, she went on with the story. "I sent letters to her, but she seldom wrote me back. When she did, they were very short, and purely informational. I wrote her once and told her I might come to visit, but she told me not to bother. My heart was broken. It wasn't but a couple of years later, that Cortese attacked Amphipolis, and Xena changed forever. I eventually traveled to many other lands, learning more and more about my skills, and meeting more people that carried the same amulet I had. I never did know how my amulet came into my possession, but as time went by, I eventually discovered each of the original nine. I fell in love with Chrisanna, in my mid 20's, and we have been together ever since."

Gabrielle sat back with a sigh. She felt that there was something missing from the tale, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. "I gather you are wondering what I might have left out, eh?" Cat interrupted her thoughts.

Blushing with embarrassment, Gabrielle tilted her head to the side, and then nodded it slowly. "I feel as though there is something missing, that you are not telling me."

Cat breathed very deeply, closing her eyes for a moment. "I found myself almost stalking Xena's progress through her transformations. Many times I would approach her during her campaigns, her guards were always given strict instructions not to harm me. I visited her at many of her camps. During her time with Borias, in Chin, during Caesar. Any number of times, Borias tried to have me killed. And Lao Ma. She was beautiful. Xena should have learned from her, but couldn't. To this day, I blame myself for the path that Xena's life had taken. Maybe if I had let her come with me for even a month or two, or maybe if I had tried harder to breach her anger at me, she might have stopped at defending Amphipolis, and stayed at home, and not become the dark warrior she did. During my visits, I would try vainly to show her how wrong her chosen path was, and I did some serious battles with Ares." Gabrielle was shocked by that admission. She wasn't aware that Cat had been involved with him at all.

Cat lowered the sleeve of her tunic, to show Gabrielle the deep ugly scar that was left when her shoulder had been sundered apart by the vicious attacks from Ares God of Stupidity. Gabrielle cringed at the site. "Fortunately, the damage does not appear when I am in another form. I can't feel it either." Fascinated by the strength of this woman, Gabrielle turned her gaze to Xena, and was surprised to see her head down, and Chrisanna talking quietly to her.

Cat pulled her tunic back up, and then waving her hand in the air, suggested that the topic move on to better subjects. "But . . .how,?" Gabrielle stuttered. "How did I recover, and regain the use of my arm?" Cat finished for her. Gabrielle just nodded her head. "Your girlfriend there put my arm back together, and then kept me with her army until I recovered. She wouldn't let anyone else touch me or take care of me. We have fought a lot of guilt together over the years, and I believe that's what makes our friendship so strong now."

Both Cat and Gabrielle had decided that they had had enough of this conversation, and made a promise to each other, to continue at another time.

Cat also expressed her desire to include Gabrielle as a member of the Gathering. "You flatter me Cat. I'm nothing special, certainly not like the rest of these women, and definitely not like you." Cat threw her head back laughing, and then jumped up, and squeezed Gabrielle in a bone-crushing hug. "If I didn't think you were something special little one, I wouldn't have asked you." Gabrielle smiled her agreement, and then looked over again to where Xena was sitting with Chrisanna. She noticed with some alarm, that Xena seemed to be crying. She rose swiftly from the table, and hurried over to her lover.

Xena saw her coming, and tried to cover up what she felt was a moment of weakness, but she was too slow. Trailed by Cat, Gabrielle knelt down in front of her lover, and carefully taking her face in both hands, gently forced her to make eye contact. "Hey . . .are you okay?" she whispered. Xena nodded her head, and then smiled a weak smile. Brushing her fingers lightly across her lifemate's cheek, she drew her in for a warm hug. Standing, she hugged Cat and Chrisanna, then took Xena by the hand, and the two went for a walk into the surrounding woods.

Neither of them had spoken for quite a while, when Gabrielle stopped, and motioned for Xena to join her on a fallen log. When they were seated, Gabrielle took both of Xena's hands in her own, and looked deeply into her eyes. Xena almost cringed at the strength that reflected back at her in those deep emerald pools.

"Hey . . . don't pull away from me, love. I know these last few weeks, and actually this last year or so has been extremely hard on you." Gabrielle began.

Xena's face softened, and she started to interrupt, "Gabrielle, you don't…."

Gabrielle placed her hand over Xena's mouth. "Yes, I do Xena. I love you, and I need for you to understand exactly how I feel, just as much as I need to know what goes on in your head. I realize that you were uncomfortable about Cat telling me your story, but I think it is important to us, and to me, to hear these tales, to better know you, and understand you. I consider your relationship with Cat, one of the most incredible, and endearing things about you. I'm just angry that you didn't tell me about her sooner."

Xena thought about what Gabrielle had said for a moment, and then smiling slightly, took the smaller woman's hands into her own. "I love you Gabrielle, there is nothing in this world that will ever stand in the way of my love for you. I feel sort of stupid that I hadn't told you more about my past before. It has to do I think with all of those years of training that I put myself through, to not show any weakness. Cat was the only person who stuck by me, and saw through me all those years."

Xena took a deep breath, and wiped away the tears that fell uncontrollably from her eyes. "I loved her, in my own warped way. Hades she knew everything about me. Even things that I tried to hide from her. And honestly when Ares injured her that was the beginning of the end. It took me a long time to see what I had become. I still needed the betrayal of my army, and then help from Hercules before I decided to lay down my weapons. I was too blind, and too proud to accept that direction from the one person who truly cared about me."

She sighed deeply, and hung her head in shame. Gabrielle reached for her chin, and pulled it up to look into her eyes. "Xena, Cat loves you, and she would never hold any of your past against you. If she did, we wouldn't be here right now, and she wouldn't have invited me to join the Gathering. It must be incredibly special to go this far through life, and have someone care about you so much, to be there for you unconditionally. I can only hope that I will be so lucky."

Xena smiled for the first time in a while, "There is no doubt that you are that lucky, Gabrielle. I will always love you. Now, let's get out of here, and get started on our vacation."

Standing, the two lovers hugged each other fiercely, and then sealing their futures with a kiss, walked slowly back to rejoin their friends.

Gabrielle spotted Cat and Chrisanna talking to a group of women near the dining area. Pulling Xena along behind her, she walked up, and then waited, not too patiently for Cat to finish her conversation. Turning to see what all of the commotion was about, Cat smiled to herself at the eagerness of this young woman "Warrior of the Heart".

"Cat, Chrisanna, we had a great time, but we really need to get going." Gabrielle blurted. Xena looked at Cat, and both of them rolled their eyes, stifling the giggles that threatened to burst out of them. "What?" Gabrielle's eyes narrowed.

"Gabrielle, sweetie, we figured you'd be on your way as quickly as possible. I know if I had a vacation heading my way, all you would have seen is the back of my a.. ooof!" "That'll be enough of that!" Chrisanna chuckled, as she withdrew her elbow from Cat's rib cage.

All of the friends had a good laugh, then while Gabrielle gathered their belongings from the cave, Xena and Cat went to retrieve Argo, and prepare her for the trip.

The friends walked in silence for a moment, and then both started speaking at the same time. "Go ahead." Xena smiled.

"Ahem . . . .well, you couldn't have done better my friend, if I had chosen her for you myself." Cat chuckled.

"I didn't choose her, she chose me. I wonder if she chose right though, you know?" answered Xena. Cat stopped in her tracks, and placing both her hands on Xena's shoulders, looked her square in the eye. "Don't ever doubt your potential Xena. I wouldn't have followed you over most of the known world, Tartarus, and a myriad of other places, if I didn't believe in you. That little lady has more insight, and strength than any of us even know about yet. She is destined for great things Xena, and so are you. You are meant to be together, side by side. Don't ever forget that."

Xena blinked a few times, and with a wry grin, tilted her head, and then asked, "And have you added Oracle to your list of titles?"

"Don't get smart with me! You know that we have several in the Gathering that are capable of seeing what lies ahead. Your bond with your true soulmate, has created a great deal of interest in the group. They have been divining, conjuring and seeing all kinds of things for the both of you. It will not always be easy, but you will be together. And . . . you get to see me every once in a while. There is still much chaos in this world, and many battles still unfought, so there is much to do. But, it's what we live for right?"

Xena grinned wider, and then pulled her friend in close for a hug. "I'm going to miss you, you furball. Thanks for everything, we couldn't have done it without you." Cat blushed, and then hugging her friend back, she said quietly, "Just don't ever forget how much I love you, you overgrown excuse for a warrior. Take care of yourself, and take care of Gabrielle. Don't ever underestimate her abilities."

The two separated, and then Xena walked Argo back to where Gabrielle was waiting with their gear. They loaded up, and then the entire group of the Gathering surrounded them to give them their farewells. Xena turned Argo into the sun, and the two lovers, friends, and soulmates, headed out for a much-needed vacation.

Cat took Chrisanna's hand, and the two watched together while the traveler's disappeared into the distance. "Are you crying?" Chrisanna asked quietly. "Yeah, I am. I'm gonna miss her Chrisanna. She really doesn't have any idea what part she and Gabrielle are destined for in this great journey of life. Maybe, that's not such a bad thing though. Gives them lots of time to discover each other, as well as the path they must take. Come on, let's go discover some new paths, what do you say?" Chrisanna put her arms around her lover's shoulders, and the two wandered off to do some . . .. discovering.

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