Musings Chapter 3

         

Musings Chapter 3

Written by Virginia Leonard

Copyright 1997 

     "Xena!  Pay attention to what you're doing.  That's

the third time I've been able to connect with you using

a move that first year pages are taught to block."

Perseus said.  He didn't mind standing ankle deep in

mud or the pouring rain but if he was going to suffer,

the least that his opponent could do was make it

challenging.

     "Sorry.  My mind is on other things." 

     "Like what's under a particular red head's skirt?"

Perseus mumbled as he turned around and prepared for

the next in the series of moves.  He was forever

forgetting just how acute Xena's hearing was. 

     "I beg your pardon." 

     "Oh come on Xena.  I'm right across the hall and

ever since Tarbetha moved into her own room...well,

your voice carries.  It's a nice voice and, I gotta tell

you, it does something to Jere', you know...and get

your hands off those hips.  It's unlady like."

     That did it.  Xena dropped her sword and took off

after Perseus shouting something about teaching

young men with fresh mouths some manners.  The

teasing she could handle but the insults?  Not lady

like?

     When she finished, the only thing not covered in

mud, on either of them, were eyeballs and maybe a

spot or two behind the ears.  "I needed that.  In case

you hadn't noticed, I've been a little tense."

     Perseus rolled his eyes.  "No."

     "Perseus, I know how some people feel about

women laying with women, and if you have..."

     Perseus held up his hand to silence Xena, "I

couldn't care any less, I grew up in Athens, remember?

You have my congratulations, by the way.  She's quite

a catch although..." Perseus eyed the mud covered

warrior princess, "...I can't say the same for you." 

     As if on cue, Gabrielle appeared in the doorway of

the inn.  Not believing what she was looking at, she

continued to watch the two muddy blobs laughing and

wrestling in the mud.  She was thankful that Xena had

found an outlet for her frustrations but she shuddered

when thought of trying to clean the leathers, Xena's

favorite leathers, that were now stiffening from the

abuse.  Gabrielle opened her mouth but was silenced

by an arrow embedding itself in the wooden door

frame next to her head.

     Xena heard the whistle of fletching and looked up

just in time to see the arrow headed straight for

Gabrielle.  She jumped up and raced over to her friend

while Perseus disappeared into the trees chasing the

would be assassin.  "Are you alright?"  she asked as she

examined every inch of the bard.

     "I'm fine.  You'd think, after awhile, that I'd get

used to this.  But nooo."

     Xena smiled and reached up to pull the arrow from

the column which was buried so deeply in the wood

that she was forced to break the shaft.  "Don't feel bad. 

I'm not used to it yet either and I don't think I ever

want to be either.  There's a note attached to this."

     "What does it say?"

     "Xena, greetings.  I'm disappointed in you.  I go to

the trouble of spiriting a young, helpless, woman away

to my keep just so you would have an excuse to come

visit and you stand me up.  Consider this an

additional invitation - I grow weary of the pathetic

creature's whimpering and soon, the only

entertainment I will derive from her presence is

watching her life slowly fade away.  In a fit of

generosity, I give you two days.  Asteceus,"  Xena

finished through clenched teeth.

     Gabrielle took the parchment from her and re-read

the note.  "Who's Asteceus?"

     "Ares' current chosen.  Before Hercules, Asteceus

was my greatest rival.  He was consumed by his jealousy

of the relationship I held with the god of war.  I guess

he doesn't trust me when I tell him I'll never go back." 

Xena leaned over and kissed Gabrielle on the lips. 

     "When do we leave?"  Gabrielle asked.

     "As soon as Perseus gets back."

     "Not without me you don't."  Tarbetha, in full

armor, stepped out onto the porch.  "This is one party I

won't mind crashing."

                                @@@

     "How many entrances are there?"  Perseus asked.

He had finally been able to persuade Xena to stop and

make camp for the night.  What good would it do to

push themselves to the brink of exhaustion, in order to

arrive ahead of schedule, when they would be

worthless once they got there.  Xena was forced to

reluctantly agree but not until Argo stumbled, nearly

throwing both she and Gabrielle out of the saddle.

     They found a small clearing, easily defensible, with

a running stream and a pool of hot mineral water.  It

was perfect.  Well, almost.  Unfortunately, the errand

they were on haunted each one of them and they found

it difficult to fully relax even in these surroundings.

Xena rubbed her tired eyes, "There are only the four I

have told you about.  If he has others, I don't know

about them.  It's me he wants and he's using this

opportunity to make a game of it so fine, I'll play his

silly game.  I'm going through the main gate."  She

paused to look at the face of each of her companions.

"It isn't going to matter how we get in, just that we do

and by going through the front door will save us a lot

of time and energy.  He's been waiting for this

confrontation a long time and he won't take the

chance of me getting accidentally hurt.  That pleasure

he intends to save for himself."

     "Xena, you don't know that for certain."

     Xena looked at Gabrielle.   She could see the pain

and concern in her eyes and could almost read her

thoughts.   "Yes, I do."  Xena's voice was soft but

certain.  "I rode with him long enough to know him.

Ambushing me in a tunnel isn't his idea of a good

time.  He wants me, face to face.  His perverted

pleasure will be greater that way.  Don't worry, I don't

plan on doing anything foolish."

     "This whole plan, or lack of one, is foolish, if you

ask me."  Tarbetha snorted. 

     Perseus nodded his agreement.  "There's got to be

something we can do?"

     "Watch my back or don't go.  Either way, it's my

challenge and my way or none."  With that, Xena

stood up and walked into the woods. 

     Perseus started to follow but was stopped by

Gabrielle's hand on his arm.  "Don't.  She just needs to

clear her head.  She'll be fine.  I don't know about you

two, but I'm going to take a long hot soak.  Anybody

else up for it?" 

     Gabrielle was actually glad no one took her up on

the invitation.  She could use some time to clear her

head as well.

                                @@@

     Xena finally sat down beneath a large oak tree.  She

stared at the full moon, grateful for its light, then

closed her eyes and let her thoughts just wander.

When she finally opened them, she was startled to see

a hooded figure, standing about ten feet away.  She

started to reach for her sword but remembered that her

weapons were laying next to her bedroll.  The figure

reached up and pulled the hood back revealing

someone whom Xena knew very well indeed.

     "No cause for alarm, my chosen, my intentions are

peaceful."

     Xena stood up and watched the goddess coming

closer.  Artemis was as beautiful and alluring as ever

and in spite of herself, Xena felt her pulse quicken and

could feel the heat rising in her cheeks.  "Artemis.  So,

you're the one who has been watching us." 

     The Great Huntress laid her warm hands against

Xena's chest.  "How nice to know that I can still have

some effect on you.  Let's walk, shall we?"  Artemis

hooked her arm through Xena's and led them further

into the trees.  "Tell me of your friend." 

     "I doubt there's anything I could tell you that you

don't already know."

     Artemis sighed, "True enough I suppose."  She

stopped them and pulled Xena around to face her.

Artemis ran her hands over the familiar muscled arms,

up across the broad shoulders and rested them on

Xena's chest.  "What do you find so attractive in that

young girl.  She's not much more than a child.  I, on

the other hand..." Artemis leaned forward and kissed

Xena full on the lips, a kiss which Xena returned a bit

more ardently than she should have.  "...am older,

wiser, and much more experienced.  You do remember

our past encounters don't you?  Did I not leave you

totally satisfied?  Could I not make your body respond

in ways you never imagined?"

     Xena folded her hands over Artemis' and placed

them against her lips.  She closed her eyes,

remembering, then took a deep, steadying breath.

"No one has ever done to me what you could and no

one ever will, but Gabrielle does something to me that

you never could or would.  She gives herself to me

completely.  Not just her physical body but her heart

and her soul, totally and unconditionally.  She knows

exactly who I am, not just the Warrior Princess, but

the Warlord, ruthless slayer of men and women, the

power hungry and vengeful minion of Ares.  She also

knows Xena, the woman, the one who sometimes cries

at night and calls out in her sleep for her mother, the

one who loses control of her temper and breaks

things, the one who, with the same hands used to kill,

can caress and make love to the woman I love and she

asks for nothing in return except a little patience.  My

body answers to that very differently than it does to

you."

     Artemis stepped back and took a long hard look at

Xena.  "Well, allow me my jealousy but also know that

you needn't fear any interference from me.  Now, as to

why I'm here."  She reached down and pulled a silver

arrow from the quiver strapped around her waist.  She

studied it then handed it over to Xena.  "You must not

let Ares have your bard.  As I have already warned, she

is all that stands between you and the God of War.

Trust yourself and your aim will be true.  I'm sorry, my

chosen, but it's the only help I am allowed to offer."

With one last kiss, Artemis vanished as quickly as she

had appeared.   Xena stood, staring at the silver arrow,

then slid it inside her boot and returned to camp. 

     She must have been gone longer than she realized. 

The fire was burning low and all of her traveling companions

Were in their bedrolls sound asleep.  Not bothering to

undress, she eased under the blankets.  Laying next to

Gabrielle, she took the bard into her arms, wrapping

them as tightly around the sleeping form as she

could.  She wanted nothing more than to be near and

to protect her life's love. 

     Gabrielle rolled over and opened sleepy eyes.  "Oh

good.  Maybe now I can get warm."   She smiled, "And

by the way, don't do that again.  I was worried..."

Gabrielle's voice drifted off as she fell back to sleep.

     "Yes ma'am." Xena whispered then allowed herself

to sleep as well.

@@@

     The foursome had stopped at the edge of the trees

to take a look at Asteceus' stronghold.

     "Ok, so maybe you were right, there is too much

open space."  Perseus reluctantly admitted.  Walking

up to an enemy's front door and knocking flew in the

face of etiquette.  It also set his teeth on edge.

     "Can we do it my way now?"  Xena asked.

     "Fine! But this does not make me happy."  he

snorted.

     They left the horses hidden in a thicket and

proceeded on foot.  Not surprisingly, they were met, at

the already opened gate, by Lucius, Asteceus' first

lieutenant and captain of his personal guards.

     "Well, what a pleasant, if not unexpected, surprise."

Lucius took Xena's hand and brought it to his lips.

"What's the occasion that would cause you to grace

our humble home?"

     Xena jerked her hand away and wiped it on her

thick leather breast plate.  "Cut it, Lucius, you know

exactly why I'm here so let's get on with it.  Where's

Asteceus?"

     "Hm, I see age hasn't softened your tongue."  He

snapped his fingers and the guards began removing

their weapons.  "Forgive me but Asteceus has rules

where weapons and enemies are concerned.  If you

will follow me." 

     They were led through a doorway and down a

sloping passage way.  Torches, set in sconces along

the way provided adequate light, something for which

Gabrielle was grateful.  Closed in places, especially

dark ones, made her nervous.  They could hear

muffled screams coming from behind various thick

wooden doors and each guest tried not to think about

what could be causing those screams.

     The passage way finally leveled off and Xena could

see a double doorway ahead of them.  Sentries were

posted on each side and, with a wave of Lucius' hand,

they opened the doors allowing the odd group to

proceed unhindered. 

     They found themselves standing in a large, well lit,

cavern.  The light from the numerous torches gave the

appearance of life to the large tapestries hanging on

the walls.  On the opposite wall was a raised dias with

an elaborately carved stone chair.  In it sat Asteceus

and next to him, kneeling on the floor, was a bound

and gagged young woman, obviously suffering from

physical abuse.

     "Nice little shrine to Ares you have here."  Xena

said. 

     "A small token of my affection for the God of War.

We have a unique relationship, you see.  I see to it that

he gets whatever he wants and he...well, he lets me

live.  So far, the arrangement has worked well."

     "Get on with it, Asteceus." Xena said through

clenched teeth.  "What do you want?"

     "A trade."  Artemis reached down and grabbed the

bound woman by the hair and jerked her to her feet.

"This for the redhead."

     "No deal."  Xena slammed the unsuspecting guard

in the face with her elbow, sending him to the ground

with a crushed nose.

     Perseus pushed the guard, carrying their

confiscated weapons, off balance then threw him to

the ground.  He retrieved his sword then kicked Xena's

to her.  Tarbetha and Gabrielle found their weapons

and all three joined the melee.  Xena focused her

efforts on reaching Asteceus, who had not moved from

his chair, so confident he was that Xena would never

make it that far.

     Tarbetha and Perseus, standing back to back, had

managed to cut down several of the armed guards.  A

few had even broken and run, deciding that what little

pay the did occasionally receive wasn't nearly enough

to engage this incredible fighting machine. 

     "Gabrielle’s in trouble.  I'm going to help her so you're

on your own," Tarbetha called out to Perseus who was now fully

engaged with Lucius. 

     "Go!  I can handle this cretin," he called back. 

     Tarbetha caught one of Gabrielle's attackers in the

back of the head with the hilt of her sword.  He

crumpled to the floor.  She used him as a spring board

and caught two others in the face with the heels of her

boots.   As she moved to take on the fallen's

replacements, in the corner of her eye she could see

Gabrielle brandishing her staff with an expert's touch

and was impressed.

     Xena almost casually knocked two other rushing

guards unconscious with her fist and elbows.  Sensing

one coming from behind, she dropped to the ground

and rolled back over her shoulder returning to her feet

and running him through with her sword. 

     Seeing that there was no one left between he and

his enemy, he slowly stepped down to meet Xena's

attack.  "I've waited too long for this, dear Xena, and

the wait will only make your death even sweeter."

     "My death won't come that easily, especially not at

your pitiful hands."  Xena snarled.  She caught a

glimpse of the kidnapped woman and rage began to boil

up in the warrior.  She waited until her target got

closer then released herself, focusing the intense

emotions down into her sword, and she met Asteceus'

downward stroke with the fury and the strength of

several warriors. 

     He began to crumble beneath her blows, his fear

causing him to miscalculate leaving himself wide open

and vulnerable.  Xena reached in and closed her fist

around his throat, crushing his windpipe.  "Suffer what

you have brought to others," she hissed.

     Perseus was fully engaged with two guards,

Tarbetha had her back to Gabrielle, fighting to keep

three attackers from getting past her and Xena was

kneeling over Asteceus' slowly dying body.  Nobody

saw a form emerge from the rocks and grab Gabrielle

from behind.

     "XENA!"  The voice, sounding like thunder,

echoed through the cavern.  All movement ceased

instantaneously.  Xena slowly stood up and turned

around. 

     "Ares, I should have known.  Asteceus was never

smart enough to plan something like this on his own.

What do you want?"

     "What have I always wanted?"

     "No.  I will never walk with you again." she spat.

     Ares gestured towards two of Asteceus' guards.

They fell to the ground, writhing in pain, then lying

still.  "Never?  I'm a god, used to getting my way, but...

I'm willing to make a deal.  A trade, if you will."

     "I'm listening."

     "You come with me, and I let them live."

     Xena looked at Perseus and Tarbetha.  Each raised

their swords to their lips and kissed the hilt in salute to

their leader.  She in turn raised hers.

She then returned her attention to Ares, arm wrapped

tightly around Gabrielle's chest.  She looked to

Gabrielle for strength but found only closed eyes.

Gabrielle would not sway Xena's decision one way or

the other.  Xena took a deep breath and brought herself

to her full height.  "No."  she said quietly.

     Ares looked around the cavern.  The salute that had

passed between Xena and her companions told him

that they would willingly die to keep Xena from

joining forces with the God of War.  Using them as

pawns was no longer feasible.  The only weapon he

had left was held in his unbreakable grip.  "Then she

goes with me.  I will have you one way or the other.

Take them!" he called out to the guards.  Ares

motioned towards the cavern wall and an opening

began to form.  That was Ares' escape.

     He began dragging a struggling Gabrielle towards

the opening and Xena knew there was no way she

could get to them before they disappeared through it.

Xena could feel her rage boiling to the surface again.

She felt her control begin to slip away and she began

to re-experience those emotions that drove her when

she was the feared warlord. 

     Through the haze, she could hear a voice, "...she is

all that stands between you and Ares...trust yourself

and your aim will be true." echoing inside her head.

She felt something burning against her leg and

suddenly remembered the arrow that Artemis had

given her.  She reached down and pulled the silver

arrow from her boot.  The sounds of the surrounding

battle ceased and Xena looked at Gabrielle through

tear filled eyes.  Gabrielle returned her gaze with one

of love and understanding.  "I love you." she mouthed.

     Xena brought the arrow to her lips then threw it

with all her strength.  It did indeed fly true and found

its target.  Gabrielle's heart stopped beating the

moment the tip pierced it.  She felt no pain and the last

thing she saw before she was engulfed by darkness,

was Xena's tears and her lips forming the words, "I

love you."

     "NOOOO!" Ares shouted, the force of his voice

shaking rocks from the ceiling of the cavern.  He

dropped the limp body of the bard and pulled his

sword.

     Xena's rage began to fade away.  She regained

control and prepared to meet the angry god with the

knowledge that, through her lover's death, Ares would

never gain control of her again.  Peace flooded her

body and reason controlled her thoughts.  "Perseus,

Tarbetha, get yourselves and the girl out of here."  She

saw an argument forming on Perseus lips and she cut

him off before he could get it out.  "NOW!" she yelled.

She watched Perseus sling the body over his shoulder

then turned her attention back to Ares. 

     "Why, Xena?  Why do you fight me so?  I can feel

the temptation growing." he said as they circled each

other.  "I know you remember the feeling of power you

welded, the fear you caused, the thrill running down

your spine when grown men would fall at your feet in

defeat or worship.  The desire you brought about, in

men and women, the aching they felt because they

wanted nothing more that to be taken by you.  I know

you remember." 

     Ares brought these memories to life and Xena

re-lived them fully.  The emotions and sensations were

real.  She fought them with everything she had.  "Was

it so horrible when we walked together?"  Ares

continued.  "You could have had anything you wanted,

including me, and you could have it again."

     Xena's head snapped up.  "That's where you're

wrong, you bloody bastard.  I will never again have

what I truly want.  You caused her to be taken from me

and for that I will never forgive you.  I would rather

die."

She dropped her sword, the resulting thud echoing

through the empty cavern, and began walking towards

Gabrielle, turning her back on the God of War.

     "Pick it up!" he raged, "Turn and face me!"

     Xena ignored him and knelt beside the pale

red-haired bard.  "This shouldn't be here," she

whispered then grabbed the arrow and gently pulled it

from Gabrielle's chest.  It slipped out easily and the

wound closed itself, instantly, leaving no mark behind.

Xena looked at the arrow then hurled it across the

cavern. 

     Unable to stop herself, she buried her face in

Gabrielle's neck and allowed the tears to flow freely.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so, so sorry." she sobbed.  Xena

raised her head then pulled the bard into her lap,

holding her love against her chest, rocking her as if

she were only asleep.  "Artemis was right.  You were

the only thing keeping me from Ares, and still are, but

at what cost?"  Xena brushed the hair away from

Gabrielle's face, "I will not forget, I promise.  You

taught me to laugh, especially at myself, you taught

me to care."  Xena brought Gabrielle's cold hand to

her lips and held it there.  "Who's tail am I going to

pull out of the fire, who's going to drag me into some

hair-brained noble cause?  Who's going to thump me

on the head when I say or do something really stupid,

or temper my anger with a wisdom beyond her years?

Who's going to grow old with me, share my life with

me, unbuckle my armor when I'm too sore to do it

myself or work the knots out of my shoulders?  Who's

going to love me?"  Xena's tears were dripping onto

Gabrielle's face giving the lifeless bard the appearance

of shedding tears of her own. 

     Ares had been watching the entire scene unfold.

Even the God of  War was capable of some

compassion, else chaos would rule the earth.  He,

allowed himself to feel a certain amount of sorrow but

quickly pushed it away and replaced it with jealousy.

"I'm touched, really, but this emotional display is very

unbecoming."

     Xena gently lowered Gabrielle's head to the ground

then turned on Ares.  Her hands closed around his

throat and for the first time in his existence he felt

mortality.  He tried to back away from the attack but

Xena's grip held true, perhaps even growing tighter. 

     Near panic, Ares brought his fists around and

hammered at Xena's side.  He could hear the crunch of

bone and yet those hands failed to loosen.  He

continued his attack finally falling backwards and

throwing her over his head.  He knelt there, trying to

catch his breath, giving Xena enough time to recover

and pick up her dropped sword.  She came at him

again, driven by grief and rage, oblivious to any

physical pain that Ares had managed to inflict.

     Sword drawn, he met Xena's attack.  Stroke and

counterstroke, they hammered at each other until Ares

made a tiny miscalculation leaving Xena the opening

she needed.  Her foot connected solidly with his right

knee and he stumbled.  The heel of her other boot

caught him in the jaw and sent him reeling backwards.

He managed to push himself up on one knee, looking

at his sword, now laying several feet away, then

back at Xena. 

     She began her downward stroke trying to brush

aside the memories now flooding her mind.  Artemis'

words of warning came back to her, the look of

anguish on her mother's face when Xena had returned

to her village for the first time, Gabrielle's gentle face

and the final words of love she had spoken.  Xena

suddenly realized that her rage was, once again, on the

verge of consuming her.

      At the last instant, she altered the course of her

swing and sent her sword flying across the cavern.

"AAARRGGHH!" echoed around them.  "I will not

become what I once was and you will never again lay

claim to me."  She reached down, grabbed his leather

vest and pulled Ares to within inches of her face.

"Look at you.  You're no god.  You're a coward, a

weak sniveling coward who surrounds himself with

even weaker mortals eager to bend to your will.  It's

their blood that soaks the ground, their lives eagerly

given so that the magnificent god Ares may have a few

moments of entertainment.  Fools." 

     "Truer words have never been spoken child."  Xena

turned to see who belonged to the voice.  Before her

stood a woman with short silvery hair swept back from

her face.  Her gown was made from white silk

bordered in burgundy velvet.  She glided across the

floor and took Xena's chin in her hand, "Such pain and

yet you spare his life."  She looked at Ares and

frowned, "I'm not sure that I could have done the same

thing had I been you."

     "What are you doing here, Rhea?"  Ares asked.

Xena raised one eyebrow.  Rhea, the mother of Zeus,

was standing in front of her.

     "I have lost patience with you, Ares.  I have ignored

your deeds in the past but I cannot and will not ignore

this one."  She looked back at Xena, "Loathsome as he

is, he is still family and I owe you a certain debt of

gratitude.  Oh do not worry, I will surely deal with him

later.  I cannot interfere directly but if you have a

favor, ask it now."

     Zena walked over to Gabrielle's body and

effortlessly picked it up then returned to Rhea.  "Just

watch over her, please, she has a tendency to fall into

trouble."

     Rhea wiped away the lone tear from Xena's face

then took Gabrielle from her.  "I will see to it that she

is properly cared for."  She and Ares vanished leaving

Xena alone with her pain, the emptiness of the cavern

reflecting the emptiness of her soul.

                                @@@

                                

     Xena sat at a table in the back of the smoky over

crowded tavern.  She found herself becoming

mesmerized by the many colors reflected from

the water droplets running down the side of her ale

filled mug.  Each droplet drew her further and further

into her own thoughts until the events of the last three

weeks began to play out in her mind.

     She could remember stumbling out of the cavern

carrying Gabrielle's staff and pack.  Her own sword

was back in its scabbard but she couldn't remember

picking that up.  The next thing she remembered was

waking up in an abandoned cottage with Perseus and

Tarbetha, both caring for the woman they had rescued.

     "How do you feel?"  Tarbetha asked, concern

etched across her face.

     "Like I'd rather die."  Xena rattled, her throat raw

from yelling at the gods, crying and fever.  "Where am

I?"

     "An empty farmer's house.  We found you,

unconscious, not far from here and since our guest

couldn't travel either we decided to stay here for

awhile.  Perseus went back for Argo and I understand

that it took some heavy duty persuasion on Perseus'

part to get that mare back here."

     Xena tried to sit up but pain shot through her body.

"Lay still.  You have about four broken ribs and your

fever broke only last night.  You aren't going

anywhere."  Tarbetha chided.

     "Where's Perseus?"

     "He's gone to fetch Marisa's, that's her name,

anyway , he's gone to fetch her father.  I expect him

back any day now."

     "How long have I been here?"

     "’Bout five days.  You won't be up for travel for at

least another week so you may as well get comfortable

and compliant.  If you don't, I'll knock you in your

head in a heartbeat and you know it."

     Perseus and the merchant returned two days later

and it was decided that Marisa needed more time to

heal before she could safely return home.  Xena's body

continued to make a remarkable recovery, she was in

superior shape after all, but her heart still ached.

Perseus and Tarbetha did their best to cheer her up but

it wasn't the same.  It never would be.

     Finally, the day came for all to go their separate

ways.  Perseus and Tarbetha had agreed to accompany

the merchant home and become leaders of his private

security forces.  That left Xena to decide what she

wanted to do and she had no ideas.  She just rode and

wandered until she found the town and the tavern

where she now sat.  She traded her services as a

peacekeeper in exchange for a room upstairs and food.

For now, it was enough.

     She shook herself out of her musings and looked

towards the door.  A figure had just entered, wearing a

hooded cloak.  She groaned inwardly, hooded cloaks

usually meant trouble and she was tired.  The last

thing she wanted was a confrontation.  When the

second shadowy figure walked in, she just rubbed her

eyes and started to stand.

     The two newcomers stood close to each other, one

taking a protective position over the other.  They put

their heads together, talking, then turned for the door.

The taller one caught a glimpse of Xena standing in

the back and grabbed the other by the shoulder.  The

second one turned and looked in Xena's direction, the

face hidden in the shadows.  Slowly, hands reached up

and pulled the hood back.  Red hair spilled across

familiar shoulders.

     Xena's breath caught in her throat and she thought

her heart was going to beat itself to death against her

rib cage.  Trying to force her way through the crowd

but getting nowhere, she leapt up on the table and

walked across the table tops.  Xena stepped off the last

table landing with a thud in front of a face she had

believed she would never see again.

     "Gabrielle?  Is it... It can't be... Can it?"  Xena

asked, afraid to believe what her eyes were seeing.  "I

saw you die-I killed you..." 

     Gabrielle nodded.  Xena took Gabrielle's face in her

hands and bent down to kiss the bard's lips, the crowd

be damned and Gabrielle returned the kiss just as

eagerly as it was given.

     The second hooded figure stepped up, "Do you

have a room here?  Good.  Let's take this up there.

You're attracting some attention."

     Xena took Gabrielle's hand and pulled her through

the crowd towards the stairs.  Nobody stared for very

long, they couldn't withstand Xena's withering looks.

     As soon as they were away from prying eyes, Xena

watched as Artemis emerged from beneath the second

hood.  "Close your mouth, you'll catch a fly.  Sit down

and we'll tell you everything."  Artemis joked.

"Believe it or not, it seems Hades has a heart.  That or

our grandmother is more persuasive than any of us

thought.  She went to him and explained the situation.

Not one to miss a chance to tweak Ares' nose, he

gladly went along with Rhea's favor and here she is,

none too worse for the wear.  I must warn you

however, Ares is an incredible sore tale so you better

keep sharp.  I have no doubt he'll try to exact some

ridiculous form of revenge."

     "What about you?  What part did you play in all

this?"  Xena asked the huntress.

     "All I did was agree to protect her until we found

you again.  The rest of my reasons are personal.

Perhaps one day you'll find out."  Artemis and

Gabrielle looked at each other, obviously sharing a

secret.  "Now, I have to go.  Be well my chosen," she

looked at Gabrielle, "I don't have to tell you to take

care of our girl.  She's special, in a twisted sort of

way."  Artemis smiled and winked.

     "I'll do my best but we both know what a mule she

can be sometimes.  You can't help but love her

though."  Gabrielle said as she crossed the room and

kissed Artemis' cheek.  Xena would forever after swear

that the goddess blushed.

     Artemis opened the window, hopped onto the

window sill, changed into the form of an owl and flew

away.  Gabrielle turned and walked back towards

Xena. 

     The warrior opened her mouth but before any

words could come out, Gabrielle pushed her tall lover

back onto the bed.  She began to loosen her skirt and

let it slip to the floor.  "I will answer all your

questions, later.  Right now I have other plans for

you,"  she said in a throaty growl as she pulled her

shirt off over her head.