"Always Have Faith"

By Melanie Long

Disclaimers:

This story and its contents is in no way intended to infringe upon the established rights and/or copyrights of Universal Studios, MCA, Renaissance Pictures or any other legal holders to the rights and/or copyrights of Xena: Warrior Princess.

Comments, feedback, and constructive criticism may be sent to yellowmel999@hotmail.com. Thank you.

"Oh Kara, please tell me one more story, I promise Ill be good, PLEASE…""Oh alright Destiny, but this story is going to be different from all of the rest, This story is about finding Faith, saying goodbye to someone that you love, opening up your heart and letting someone else come in.

As you already know from the last story, it begins with a woman named Gabrielle who had recently lost Xena in Japan.

She had skipped the idea of what her and Xena discussed on the boat and just wanted to wander for a while try to find herself, to help deal with what had recently happened. She wasn’t quite sure what she was going to do. But she soon finds out, believe me she does.

Gabrielle was walking through the woods steaming up with anger, "why is it when everyone finds out I’m Gabrielle they all ask if I’m alright? Well of course I’m alright, don’t I seem alright? Of course I do, ohhhhh!" Talking angrily through the woods, not having a clue were she was going, all of a sudden the woods parted and she found herself in a small village. She took a deep breath and eased out a smile, for this place reminded her so much of her own little village in Potidea." I don’t think it would hurt if I rested here for a little while, oh it seems so peaceful." She wandered through the village buying a few things here and there.

An older man had been keeping his eye on her for quite some time. People there don’t usually see a woman dressed in an out fit for fighting, and carrying a sword in her hand, finally he asked, "you’re not from around here are you?" Gabrielle turned her head, "oh no I’m not, I’m just going to stay the night. Do you have a place where I could stay here over the night?"

The old man thought for a moment then as if it had finally came to him, "yes, yes I do, I would suggest staying at the Cobblers INN, it is a very nice place, it is at the bottom of that hill," he pointed, "you cant miss it." Gabrielle put on a polite smile, "thank you sir, so long." She started down the hill.

It wasn’t long before she found the INN, she paid the man 3 dinars, and headed for her room. "oh IM so exhausted, she glanced around the room, and a certain picture had caught her eye. "oh this picture reminds so much of Japan, "Xena would like to see this picture, the skies are opening up it’s heart for anyone to come in." she took a moment gazing into her past, the terrible memory of Japan, the terrible things that happened there, things that she told her self for so many years, would never happen.

"Oh it is a beautiful picture isn’t it."

"Aah, Xena don’t scare me like that."

Kara said "Wait a minute, wait a minute, you just told me in your last story that Xena was dead, killed by a samurai, and his army, Guilty from her past, she was finally freed from all of her guilt." Kara looked up into little destiny’s eyes, "you see her body is dead, but her love, her soul, still belongs to Gabrielle, and always will.

Destiny looked up at Faith with the most confused look on her face, Faith trying to explain to her. "Destiny, when you find someone that you love so much, you care so badly for this person, would do anything for this person. They become your soul mate, a part of you that can never leave. Now it is just two souls dwelling in one body."

Destiny still looking confused, "oh you’ll understand one day, trust me. Now can we get on with the story,"

So Xena and Gabrielle went wandering through the village, they went to all different kind of stands, Gabrielle started laughing when she saw a little puppet show, with young children gathered around.

They walked until the came to this private area, a meadow with the most beautiful wild flowers, and an old oak tee in the middle.

The silence broke with arguing of children, a girl appeared, screaming with anger, there were three boys following behind her, "you’re such a freak, why don’t you drop the stupid fighting act, and drop the staff, do what normal girls do," the young girl steaming up with anger waiting to explode. "You’re just jealous because you know that I can kick your sorry butt any day.

The boy grew a smile, with trouble written all over it, "if only your mother hadn’t been killed, on the cross, you could act a little normal," he laughed, "oh I forgot, your mom was just as much as a freak as you are." This time the girl didn’t just stood there, she threw herself on top of him, jabbing her staff in his face, and thrusting her knee, right where it would hurt the worst.

Gabrielle who had overseen everything separated the two, " now listen, listen to me I know what he did was wrong, but this isn’t going to solve anything, let it go, let it go.’

The girl jumped off of him, looked over Gabrielle, what would know. "more than you think, believe me." She gave the boy a shove, "go on get out of here, all of ya go on. The boys ran off laughing.

The girl walked over to the tree, "oh their all right, I am a freak, I can’t be normal, the girl started crying, "I try, I really do."

Gabrielle walked over to the young girl, "now you listen to me you hear, you’re not a freak, you’re different from everyone else, and that is what makes you special, You can become something and see things none of those people could, they are just jealous of that." The girl whiped her tears, "you think so" Gabrielle smiled, "Know so,

I once knew a young girl who was just like you, she was different from everyone else, she didn’t fit in, but she got away from that village, with someone who was willing to give her a chance. Oh she became so many great things." The young girl smiled. " ya, but how do I get away? I have no family, no money, nothing to claim by." Gabrielle took her arm, "that young girl was me, and I got away, It will happen believe me, someone will come along, and there’s your chance, so never pass it up."

The girl jumped up screaming, and laughing, I cant believe it, your going to take me with you to travel the world, oh this will be so exciting, I’m going to go tell everyone the news, and get my things. Oh thank you , thank you." The girl ran off, Gabrielle still standing frozen with her mouth wide open, "what, what did I say? She hit herself in the forehead. "you idiot, idiot, I’m so stupid, ooh!"

Xena appeared, "oh Gabrielle stop complaining, besides It will do you some good to have someone new and spunky, she needs you and you need her." Xena laughed, "besides I once remember taking along someone with me, and it has changed my life forever."

Gabrielle rubbed her head, scrunched up her forehead. "Alright, I can do this, it will be fine, difficult but fine."

Gabrielle and Xena sat by the tree discussing where they were going to go next. They both came to an agreement to go to Athens, that sounded fun and exciting, and they were pretty close by there. Soon they saw a figure towards them it was her. "Sorry it took so long, were here I am, IM all packed and ready to go." Gabrielle looked down to see a small bag in the girls’ hand. "Hmm, O.K then, lets go. Where staying right down that hill in Cobblers INN, were heading for Athens in the mourning." The girls eyes widened, "hi, IM Faith I’m 15 years old, and my sad, pathetic, alone life, is about to become full of people, excitement, adventure, I’m going to Athens, I cant believe this, ME going to Athens, oh I cant wait."

Gabrielle chuckled, "Well don’t get to excited were not leaving yet." The two sat by that tree talking for hours, until it became dark. "Well we better go, we need to get up early and head out tomorrow, now that we know a little bit about each other, I think were going to have a great time."

The two, fell asleep, it was late into the night when Gabrielle was coming upon a nightmare.

"Gabrielle wake up, your having a nightmare. Gabrielle woke up still shaking, and full of sweat. "Ok thank you Faith, IM fine now, sorry, just go back to sleep." Faith yawned, "alright no problem."

She fell her head down and was already out of it. Gabrielle on the other hand couldn’t get back to sleep, she kept thinking about what happened in her dream, and wondered if it was her fault. Finally the sun shined through the room, "wake up Faith, its time we go now, were going to pick up breakfast on the way out, I saw a beautiful apple tree, waiting to be picked." Faith stood up stretching, "aahh! Ok IM ready for anything, bring on the adventure, IM fighting for the better good, and if any one gets in my way," swinging her arms everywhere, "bang, boom, their gone." Gabrielle tried to hide her laugh, sarcastically she said, "OK fighto, save your energy for when it’s needed, come lets go."

Well so far they walked, and they walked, and they walked some more, "OK Gabrielle I don’t mean to sound rude, but when is the fun and exciting things supposed to happen?" Gabrielle smiled, "oh boy, well that stuff usually happens when Xena mixes trouble with someone, I really haven’t done much fighting without her here." Faith rolled her eyes, "oh great, this is so not how I saw it, my feet are dying, IM so hungry, IM tired of walking and I just want to sit down and RELAX!" Gabrielle looked at Faith, "well if you wanted to take a little rest and eat lunch, all you had to do was say so, Faith started laughing, "ha, of course just say so, why didn’t I think of that?" They were sitting down, enjoying a few fish that was caught. All of a sudden Gabrielle pulled Faith down to the ground. "What the heck are you doing Gabrielle? Gabrielle froze, "don’t say a word, we’ve been followed by someone for a while now." An arrow went flying right by them Faith jumped up, "aaahhh," Gabrielle stood up and caught the arrow in mid air, Faiths eyes drew big and shocked, "pretty impressive, if I say so myself," Gabrielle pushed Faith back. "Stay back, stay out of the way," faith watched as Gabrielle approached the men, "so what have you two been following us for?" The two disgusting men started laughing.

"Well we just noticed these two very beautiful young ladies, and decided to give you an offer," Gabrielle drew her sword close, "go ahead, make my day," the men moving backwards, "wow, there little lady, we were just offering a night with us, a little fun that’s all." The one man from behind drew his sword, pretty soon the three of them were fighting, Gabrielle in about a matter of five minutes, managed to get them away for good. Gabrielle sat down, next to Faith, "now that was fun, so what’s wrong with you, you act like you’ve never seen that before," Faith laughed, "I’ve never seen a women do that, that was great, you think you could teach me to do that?" Gabrielle thought for a moment, "I could teach you to defend yourself with a staff, using it only when necessary," Faith jumped up and down screaming with joy, "oh thank you, thank you, I’m going to be the best fighter, Gabrielle and Faith the two strongest, meanest, women around." They walked until it drew dark they told stories about their life and drifted off to sleep.

From then on life was great for those two, they were two of a kind, They did everything together, they had their usual talks every night, Faith would fall asleep and Xena would come, they talked until Gabrielle fell asleep. Life was like this for a long time about a year, Gabrielle taught Faith how do use a staff, and Faith taught Gabrielle all these special flirting moves she used on guys, Gabrielle wasn’t to get at it, but eventually she got it. The two traveled, everywhere, Faith was Gabrielle’s sidekick, she admired Gabrielle so much. It was different for Gabrielle being the one admired and looked up to by somebody, it reminded her so much of how she thought of Xena when she first meet her, she thought Xena was everything she wanted to be.

One night the two were talking by the fire, "Gabrielle, I want to be just like you, I want to do everything with you, your everything I want to be, please take me along forever, I will always be there," Gabrielle spoke, it was hard for her, she thought so much of Xena, "oh Faith I would love for you to be thee always, we can always be together now, you and me, fighting evil, doing good," Faith gave Gabrielle a hug, "thank you Gabrielle, I will always remember this night, and how special it was, together forever." Faith fell asleep, Gabrielle looked around, whispered she called Xena’s name, "Xena, Xena you come over now, she walked over slowly, "hi Gabrielle, I heard yours and Faiths conversation tonight, it was really great," Gabrielle looked over at Xena and could see tears coming down her cheek, "Xena what’s wrong, why are you crying," Xena closed her eyes she took Gabrielle's hands, "oh Gabrielle this is so hard, so let me talk for a minute, and try to listen to what I need to say, Gabrielle you need me any more, and I mean that in the bestest way possible, oh Gabrielle you have Faith and its not like how me and you used to be together, but its so great what you two have, its different in a good way, and what IM trying to say is, IM going to go to my son now, and my mom, and brother, and father, and my first love, don’t you see Gabrielle there waiting for me to come, iv let them wait to long." Gabrielle's whole face went white, she burst into tears, "wait Xena I’ll leave Faith, I’ll do anything, are destiny is to go together, we have to, please Xena I cant live without you, you know that, Xena stood up, "Gabrielle the most precious and best time of my life was spent with you, we were made for each other, we will always have that, no one can take that place, but there always comes a time when you need to say good bye, and that time is now, just for a while, we will see each other again, its are destiny Gabrielle and it always will be, forever and ever, good bye Gabrielle I love you so much," she kissed Gabrielle softly and like that she disappeared into the darkness, Gabrielle crying and moaning, "Xena no wait don’t go, Xena no."

Faith woke up to the light hitting her eyes, she was surprised to see Gabrielle already awake, she could tell something went wrong, what’s wrong Gabrielle why are you crying, Gabrielle took a deep breath, "Faith I have no idea how to tell you this, but I cant be with you any more, it just cant work out not now, so please Faith leave me alone." Faith stood there shocked not having a clue what happened are what’s going to happen to her now, with tears streaming down her face, she stood her head high, "fine Gabrielle, if that’s the way its going to be, I’ll leave, and I don’t want to look back and see what your missing, because that would just be to hard, and when IM alone and your alone, were both miserable, your going to know what you missed, and how much I love you, and how much I thought you loved me." So faith picked her things up, looked at Gabrielle, turned her head whipping her tears, "good bye Gabrielle, I’ll miss you." Gabrielle started to cry, "Faith I love you, I’ll always remember the times we’ve shared together." So faith walked away, and they left each other, and they never saw one again."

THE END

Destiny whipped her little tears, "so let me get one thing straight, so Faith is alone and heart broken Gabrielle is alone and heart broken, and that’s how it ends, just like that. Boy Kara, I wouldn’t be going around telling that story to much, the ending sucks."

A voice was heard from behind, "I was hoping we could change the ending of that beautiful story, you know what I mean, if that’s O.K with you Faith," Faith ran into Gabrielle's arms, Destiny stood up, with her jaw dropped and eyes wide open, "that’s okay with me Gabrielle that is certainly okay with me." Destiny drew nearer to Faith, got really close to her and said, "your Faith not Kara, huh? Faith laughed, "yep, I was Faith all along, just telling a little girl a story that happened in her past," Gabrielle and Faith hugged once again, little Destiny asked, "so how does this story end, Gabrielle looked at Faith, "well Gabrielle realized how miserable life was without Faith, and how much she needed her, so they were a team again, best friends, with a relationship growing to be something even greater, traveling each day side by side, laughing together, sharing thoughts and feelings forever and ever." Faith shed a little tear of joy" I like that ending a lot better." Gabrielle smiled and held Faith in her arms, "hey I was listening to most of the story you told Destiny, and I have one question to ask, how did you know about Xena’s and Is talks every night," Faith laughed, "I was never really asleep, I would listen to the stories you would tell about your adventures together, I would close my eyes and picture myself with you two, all along, from the beginning, always there to lend a hand," Gabrielle now shed a little tear of happiness we’ll we are now, forever and ever."

Hey Gabrielle want to now what think, Gabrielle smiled at Faith, tell me what you think Faith, Faith grabbed Gabrielle’s hand, "I think the reason we found each other again Is because, we always kept Faith, we always kept Faith.

The end…

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