"Leap of Faith"

By SaM

Disclaimers:

Xena: Warrior Princess is the property of USA Studios and was produced and created by Renaissance Pictures. No infringement of their rights to their characters is intentional in the writing of this piece of fiction. It simply comes out of love and devotion to what they've inspired in me as a writer. I dedicate this piece to Lucy and Renee - soul mates for eternity!

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

As many times as Lila had opened the door to welcome her sister home within the past couple of years, the sight of her beaten, bloody body never got easier to see. In fact, it only got worse.

"Lila." Gabrielle’s husky voice is barely audible past the doorway.

"Gabrielle." Lila ushers her in and closes the door.

Lila had stopped asking for detailed descriptions of Gabrielle’s exploits. In the final analysis they were always the same. "I’m fighting for the greater good." How she had come to hate those words.

"You know, for once I wish you’d come to visit just for the hell of it, instead of as a pit stop between battles." Mechanically, Lila goes to a cupboard and gets the tray of healing supplies.

Gabrielle rummages through her saddlebag to find her medicine pouches. "Sorry. I’ll remember that next time… Do you have any bandages? I’m out, and I think I’ve bruised a rib." Lila plops the tray down on the table in front of Gabrielle, who looks at it. That was fast, she briefly notes to herself. "Thanks." She continues searching her bags, taking out various items to see what’s underneath them.

"I think you’ve bruised your head." Lila prepares the bandages as she watches Gabrielle in amazement. "If you ask me, you’re going far beyond what could possibly be expected of one person."

"I’m doing what I’ve always done."

"Not even Xena took on the kinds of dangers you do."
"And how would you know that?"

"I’ve read your scrolls." Gabrielle gives a slight chuckle. "If I didn’t know you better, I’d swear you were trying to kill yourself." Without hesitation, Gab pulls out Xena’s urn and puts it on the table, continuing to search the bag. Lila looks at the urn and picks it up in surprise. "You are trying to kill yourself."

"Don’t be ridiculous." She looks up and sees Lila staring at the urn, then at her.

"Don’t lie to me, Gabrielle."

Gab takes the urn. "I’m not." She puts it back in the bag.

"Look at you! It’s like you’re punishing yourself for Xena’s death. It wasn’t your fault. She chose to die!"

"I know! I was there." The pain in Gabrielle’s voice pierces Lila’s heart like a knife. Gab gets up to leave the room. "I didn’t come here for a lecture."

"Then why did you come?"

"I don’t know!" She walks towards the bedroom door, and then stops. "Maybe, because you’re the only family I have left." Without looking back, she goes into the bedroom and shuts the door.

A little while later, Gabrielle lies on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Tears fill her eyes and stream effortlessly down the sides of her face.

"What’s happening to me, Xena? Have I really lost it? Is Lila right? Do I have a death wish? I grieved for you, Xena, but I accepted your decision. And I’ve tried to move on. To continue our work…" A sob catches in her throat. "But I can’t stop missing you. I can’t stop thinking this is all some horrible nightmare… It’s just so wrong!" She starts to weep, and covers her face with a pillow so as not to disturb her sister in the next room.

But a moment later, Lila opens the door. "Gabrielle? Are you awake?" She hears Gab’s stifled sobs. "Oh Gabrielle." She goes and sits on the bed. "You have to stop this. I know how much you loved her, but…" She pauses so as to choose her words carefully. "Xena wouldn’t want you to suffer so."

A muffled voice is barely heard from behind the pillow. "Then why did she leave me?"

Lila takes the pillow away from Gab’s tear stained face. "What did you say?"

After a pause, Gabrielle whispers, "My ribs hurt."

Lila sighs as she looks into her big sister’s bloodshot, green eyes. Then with a smile she replies, "We’d better bandage them up then, shouldn’t we?"

Later that night, Gabrielle, ribs bound tight and secure, lies asleep on the bed, tossing and turning… dreaming of her beloved.

"Xena? … Xena."

"I’m here, Gabrielle. I’m right here."

"Don’t leave me." All the familiar words come flowing out of their mouths, always with the same fresh urgency as if for the first time.

Xena lies down beside her on the bed. "I’ll never leave you, my dearest friend."

Gabrielle opens her eyes and looks over at Xena. "You promised you wouldn’t die on me again."

"You know why I did it. I couldn’t come back."

"You said we’d grow old together."

"We will." Xena touches her soul mate’s cheek. "Together… for eternity."

"I need you, Xena."

"You have me… always."

"It’s not the same. I feel incomplete without you."

"Gabrielle…"

"Don’t you feel it too? Like there’s a big gapping hole inside of you?"

"You have to find a way—"

"I can’t do it anymore… I’m so tired."

"Yes you can. You have to."

"Why? Why me? I’m only one person. I can’t do it all alone. I’m not strong enough."

"Yes you are."

"I’m not!"

"Gabrielle…"

Gab sits up. "Don’t ‘Gabrielle’ me!" She tries to control her tears. "I can’t live without you!"

Xena slowly sits up next to her, thinking how best to respond. "Gab—People need you here."

Gabrielle sharply turns her head to look into Xena’s eyes. "People need us! Without you none of my work means anything."

"Of course it does!"

"Not to me."

The coldness in Gabrielle’s voice stuns even Xena. She counters Gab’s stare and slowly responds, "You don’t mean that."

"I do mean that. Don’t tell me what I mean. You may be dead, but you can’t read my mind."

"No. But I can read your heart."

Gab looks into the warm, loving gaze of her friend. Her own face slowly softens. "Then you must see how it’s changed."

"Yes. It’s gotten stronger." Xena caresses Gabrielle’s hair.

Gabrielle gives up with a tearful little smile. "Oh, Xena." She lays her head back on Xena’s shoulder. "Don’t ever give up on me."

"Never." Xena gives her a tender kiss.

Gabrielle turns over onto her side on the bed, caressing her pillow.

"Xena."

She slowly wakes up - startled to find herself alone. She returns to lying on her back, looking up at the ceiling, and catches her breath, as is always required after waking from one of her Xena dreams - a regular experience anytime she allows herself the luxury of sleep. And this kind in particular always seems to come just after a big skirmish, when her exhaustion has overtaken her senses.

Gabrielle had often wondered if Xena ever felt this drained after a big battle. Did she ever get this tired – not just physically, but spiritually as well? Like the wait of the world rested solely on her shoulders alone. To her it always seemed as if Xena felt better after a fight. It was the down time that stressed her out. "Too much time to think," she’d say. That was one of many differences between them. Gabrielle loved to think and contemplate… to figure everything and everyone out. That was the Bard in her, she suspected.

As per the ritual, Gab gets up to wash the images away for her fuzzy head.

Outside, Gabrielle comes from the house to the well, where she dumps several ladles of water over her head from the bucket. She shakes her head a few times, wipes her face with her hands, and then suddenly looks up as if hearing something in the distance. She looks around the yard, sees nothing unusual, yet she can’t get rid of a sense of uneasiness. She finally peers off towards the woods and heads off to discover what’s out there… watching her.

Gabrielle walks cautiously through the woods… listening… sensing… Suddenly, she stops short. An arrow whizzes at her from behind and she catches it next to her ear.

"Nice catch." A woman’s strong, low voice purrs from… somewhere.

"I had a good teacher." Gabrielle waits a moment, not moving. "Who are you?"

A pair of lips grazes Gabrielle’s ear and whispers, "The one who taught your teacher."

Though startled, Gabrielle keeps as still as a statue. "What do you mean?"

"Because of me, your beloved lived to become the legend you helped preserve for all posterity." This mysterious stranger, shrouded in shadow, begins to slowly encircle Gabrielle as she speaks. "A long time ago I pulled the drenched little rug-rat out of a rushing river. I then taught her the proper way to fish… hunt… and generally survive this cruel world of ours."

"You did all that?"

"Yes. I did."

"That’s impossible."

"Why’s that?"

"Because… Xena told me that Artemis did all those things."

"She told you that, did she?"

"Yes."

"Well, I wouldn’t want to call Xena a liar… now would I?"

"Which means you’re the liar, because Artemis is dead."

"A-huh. Because Xena killed her, I suppose."

"Exactly."

"Nnno. Actually, Xena killed one of my scared little sister’s devoted conquests. I haven’t set foot on Mount Olympus in… a while. Quite a while. But that’s another story."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"If you want your precious Xena back, then yes. I do."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, a terrible wrong has been committed and it’s my job to fix it."

"Fix it… How?"

"By reminding Xena of the true meaning of redemption."

Early that morning, just before dawn, Gabrielle packs her saddlebag quickly and quietly in the main room of her family home. She is on a mission. Focused and determined. As she ties up the last bag, Lila’s voice comes from behind her.

"Not even a ‘good-bye’ this time?"

Gab turns quickly to face her sister. "It’s an emergency. I have to go to Arcadia."

"Only to Arcadia. How convenient."

"Lila, I can’t debate my travel log with you right now. Velasca’s on the loose again and putting together an army of Amazons to battle Ares’ forces."

"Why?"

"To gain control of Olympus. Not that there’s much left to control. But power is power."

"What do you care about the Olympian gods?"

"I don’t. I care about the Amazons."

"And I care about you. Which is why I’m coming with you."

"Wha--? Lila, this is dangerous. I can’t --"

Interrupting her, "Good. I’ll finally get a little excitement in my life."

"You can’t be serious!"

"Why not? Sarah’s happily married and taking care of her own family now. She doesn’t need me hanging around."

"I’m sure that’s not true."

Still deaf to Gab’s arguments, "But you on the other hand…"

"Yes? What about me?"

Lila starts to respond, then thinks better of it. "I’m coming with you. No arguments." Before Gabrielle can protest further, Lila goes into her room to get her things. A frustrated Gabby takes a seat in a chair to wait… something she has a feeling she’ll have to get used to doing from now on.

"How are you doing back there?"

"Fine. Will you stop asking me that? I may not have aged as well as you, but I’m not an invalid."

Gabrielle had to admit. Her sister was doing far better than she expected. Yes, they had had to take more respites than she was used to, but Lila had yet to complain about the long hours in the saddle or the sourness that she was sure to be experiencing as a result. Lila even insisted on doing all the cooking. A luxury Gab found most appealing. And with each passing day on their journey, Gabrielle was faced with the remembrance of days past when she and Xena relished their time alone together on the road, chatting about the world around them, the people they met, and the experiences they had. Of course, Gab had done most of the actual chatting, but having Lila along now, she was beginning to see what it must have been like for Xena. "By the gods, my sister is talkative. I had forgotten."

"Must run in the family." Xena, now used to taking a back seat to Gabrielle, on Argo no less, had finally decided to make her presence known. Not that she needed to, for Gab always knew when she was there.

"I guess so."

"Ok. I know it’s useless to try to talk you out of this little adventure--"

"Yes it is."

"But how exactly do you know Velasca’s escaped?"

"I just know."

"A little bird told you?"

"You could say that."

"Ok... Then have you thought about how you plan to defeat… a god?"

"I have faith."

"Faith?" Xena chuckles. "In what?"

"Not in what, in whom."

"All right, I’ll bite. In whom do you suddenly have faith?"

Gabrielle smiles cunningly. "How ‘bout myself."

"You know I love you, Gabrielle. And I have complete confidence in your abilities. But unless I’m mistaken, it took you, me, and Callisto to defeat this bitch the last time. Now it’s you and… Lila? Forgive me, but I don’t like the odds."

"You’re forgetting the Amazons."

"No, I’m not. But you’re still talking about mortals fighting an immortal. What do you expect to do to stop her? What’s your plan? Another lava pit?"

"I’ll know it when I get there."

"Oh no no no no no. That didn’t work on you when I tried it, it certainly won’t work on me."

"Trust me, Xena. I know what I’m doing."

Lila rides up along side Gabrielle. "Um. I don’t mean to interrupt your conversation with… Xena? But do you mind filling me in more on this Velasca situation."

Xena is surprised. "You haven’t told Lila the Velasca story?"

"I did," Gabrielle counters defensively.

"Did what?" Lila had come to accept her sister’s newfound idiosyncrasies. Yet she found it extremely frustrating to have a conversation with her while Xena’s ghost was around. But not having any choice in the matter, since she didn’t have Gab’s ‘soul mate’ privileges of being able to hear and see the Warrior Princess, she quickly realized that complaining about it was useless. However, she never stopped feeling a bit stupid and out of the loop having to ask so many questions all the time. Then again, she often didn’t understand things even when Xena was alive and she could hear their entire conversations.

Gabrielle addresses her sister, "You said you read my scrolls, right?"

"You mean ‘The Quest’? Um, yes… I did."

"Right. ‘The Quest.’ That was a good one." Xena smiles in the recollection. Then she remembers, "Well, not entirely. I was dead then, too."

"Shh."

"Sorry."

"What?" Once in a while Lila’s poor head just spins with confusion.

"Nothing." With patience, Gabrielle steers the topic back on track. "Then there was ‘A Necessary Evil.’ Telling how Velasco had it in for me for taking away her right to be Queen; as well as for Artemis, claiming she’d abandoned the Amazons?"

"Sure. She ate the ambrosia, became a god, and you and Xena put her into a lava pit."

Xena is now the confused one. "What does Artemis have to do with this?"

Taken off guard, Gabrielle hesitates. "I… was just… reminding Lila about Velasca’s motivations."

"But Artemis is dead. And Velasca will only be after you now, which is why I don’t want you going to face her alone."

"Alright. Can we talk about this later? We’re wasting precious daylight."

Lila is hurt. "I just wanted to know more about who we’ll be fighting."

"I wasn’t talking to you! And you are not fighting anyone." Gab is reaching her limit of tolerance. She stops Argo to try and calm down. Lila does the same. "I’m sorry, Lila. I didn’t mean to yell at you. Xena, please go away now. You’re distracting me. And I’m getting a really big headache."

"Fine!" Xena disappears.

"Lila, to answer your question… I have to stop Velasca before she stops me."

"But she’s a god. How can you stop a god?"

Gabrielle finally loses it. "Aaah! Enough! Just trust me, ok. Now let’s go." She digs her heals into Argo’s sides and rides off, with a bewildered Lila trotting along behind.

After many days, Gabrielle and Lila finally make their way into Amazon territory.

"Something’s wrong."

"What is it?"

"We’ve been riding through Amazon lands for at least an hour now. We should have met a scouting party long ago. Come on." She urges Argo into a gallop. Lila follows.

As they ride into camp, Gabrielle is stunned by what she sees. Most of the huts are scorched or mere piles of ashes on the ground. As they ride through the rubble, Gabrielle looks about her, fearing the worst. She’s too late!

"Varia?" No answer. Then she hears a noise in the Queen’s hut, which is the only complete building still standing. "Varia?"

After a moment a young Amazon emerges through the doorway, bow and arrow at the ready. "Who are you?"

"I’m Queen Gabrielle. Where is Varia?"

"Gone. Velasca took her. She’s captured all of the queens. We think they must be dead."

"Why?"

"It’s been five days. Our search parties have found nothing. No trace of them anywhere. They must be dead."

"Who’s in command now?"

"I am."
Lila chimes in. "How many of you are there?"

"Ten now… that we know of. But most of us are wounded. The rest are dead or have joined Velasca’s army."

Gabrielle gets off her horse. "Come on Lila. We have work to do."

That night, after tending to the wounded, Gabrielle keeps watch at the edge of camp. She’s exhausted and worried as she sits on a log by a small fire.

"Ok. Now what?"

"Be patient." Artemis’ voice comes from the night wind. "Velasca will tell you what’s next. To be a great hunter, you must be patient. She knows you’re out here."

"Great. Is that supposed to comfort me?"

"It’s supposed to keep you on your toes." Artemis’ shadowy figure comes out from behind a tree just in back of Gabrielle. "Xena has taught you well."

"And you have been in hiding too long. Why come out now?"

"It’s time."

"Time for what? Time to burry the Amazon nation once and for all. Why didn’t you help them?"

"Why didn’t you? Aren’t you their queen?"

"You’re their god!"

"I’m not a god. Not any more."

"What do you mean?"

"It’s a long story."

"It’s a long night. You’ll keep me awake."

Artemis relents. She starts to slowly walk around the fire as she speaks. "I had a child, many years ago. Ares discovered this fact and tried to use it against me. To protect the child I gave her up and distanced myself from her, so no one would suspect her identity."

"Her?"

"My daughter."

"What about your son? Bellerophon."

"He came later. A whole other story." Artemis quickly continues her tale. "Anyway, to make things worse, I refused to join Athena in her desperate quest to kill Eve."

"And she took your powers away?"

"More like, I gave them up. I disappeared. Once Xena killed my impersonator, people stopped worshiping me. A god does not exist without worshipers." She kneels down beside Gabrielle. "It seems I’ve been living like a mortal for so long I’ve begun to doubt my own godhood. When you no longer believe in yourself… what powers are left you?"

"But you could have helped us against the gods."

"The politics of Olympus is… complicated. Besides, Xena’s destiny is far beyond even I--"

"Far beyond… what?"

"Beyond anyone’s comprehension – including the powers that be." Artemis looks up into the night sky.

Gabrielle wants desperately to know what exactly Artemis means by this, but she also knows how elusive the gods are. So she decides to let it go… for now. "But you’re still immortal. You’re still alive."

"For now."

Without thinking, Gabrielle is drawn to this intriguing goddess. Her curiosity overcomes her. "Do you ever see your daughter?"

"In my dreams."

"Why don’t you find her? Be with her. What could Ares do to her now?"

"I wish I could."

"Why can’t you?"

Artemis sighs, and then changes the subject. "You should rest for your journey tomorrow. Sleep. I’ll keep watch for you." Gabrielle looks at her with apprehension. Artemis smiles. "Trust me. Besides Velasca is long gone from here." Before Gab has a chance to respond, Artemis disappears into the night.

Gabrielle sits there a moment pondering the tale she’s just been told. "You’d think I’d be use to the gods’ quirks by now."

"She’s unique, that’s for sure." Gabrielle turns to Xena who has taken Artemis’ place beside her.

"You heard?"

"Apparently, her tale of woe wasn’t enough of a secret to warrant me deaf to your little exchange… this time. I take it she’s your informative little bird."

"Yes. She wants to help the Amazons."

"And you." Xena looks with great concern at her friend. "Be careful, Gabrielle. She may appear to have good intentions but she’s just as cunning and manipulative as the rest. Only she’s much more subtle, which makes her more dangerous."

"What exactly went on between you two?"

"Simple. She befriended me, then deserted me when I needed her most." Gabrielle could tell there was more to it than that. Especially in terms of Xena’s feelings, which, by the look on her face, were not simple. "All I’m saying is, watch your back. You can’t be too careful where the gods are concerned."

"I know. But I think she’s sincerely wishing to make amends for her past mistakes, Xena. You can’t blame me for helping her try. Can you?"

As always, Gabrielle knows how to rap Xena around her little finger. "No. That’s what makes you… you." Their smiles to each other sparkle all the more as the fire blazes on… the smoke billowing into the night sky.

The next morning, Gabrielle and Lila set off again towards Arcadia. Lila looks back towards the direction of the Amazon camp.

"Shouldn’t we have taken them with us or something. What if Velasca comes back?" Lila, the novice, inquires.

"She won’t. It’s best they take care of their wounded and recover before joining us later… if they can. We need to keep on Velasca’s tail. We can’t loose any more time."

After a moment of contemplation Lila proclaims, "I’m slowing you down, aren’t I? I could go back and stay with the Amazons."

"No. They have enough to worry about." After a pause, Gabby winks and smiles at her sister. "Actually, I’m getting kind of used to having you around… Ok?"

Lila beams with joy to hear this, "Ok." They ride on for a bit. Then, "But if I start to get in your way, or disrupt your focus or concentration, or if you just need me to disappear or anything… just let me know."

Gabrielle stifles a giggle. "I will. Thanks."

"’Cause I don’t want to get in your way when we do find Velasca. That’s the last thing I intended to do by coming along. I just wanted to spend some time with you, take care of all the unimportant things so that you could concentrate fully on your mission... And the chance to see the world a bit was a nice bonus, too. Of course, I never imagined…"

As Lila chatters away, Gabrielle silently reflects, "I wasn’t this bad… was I?"

"Yep." Xena answers.

"I’m sorry."

"I’m not."

"How did you put up with me?"

"Same way you put up with Lila. I loved you." Gabrielle smiles. "Besides, you were awfully cute when you babbled."

Gabrielle chuckles, while her sister continues her own reflections on all her latest discoveries, as they ride side by side down the road.

As Gabrielle and Lila cautiously ride through the Arcadian woods, someone is slowly walking in the bushes near by. Gabrielle has picked up on this movement, though no sounds are heard – at least not that Lila can hear. But Lila knows enough to keep as quiet and still as she can when her sister is in that… mood. Automatically Gab slows Argo down, yet continues forward… listening… waiting…

The movement gets closer and closer to them… until finally, Gab leaps off her horse and points the chakram towards a tree. "Come out! Now!"

"It’s just me." Artemis comes out from behind the tree, hands in the air. "Gods you’re good!"

"Don’t play games with me! I’m not in the mood."

"Nor am I. I found Varia. If you’re interested."

"Where?" Gab puts the chakram back in its hook on her hip.

"Over there." Artemis points towards a cave several yards behind her. Gabrielle quickly guides Argo in that direction. Not wanting to get left behind, Lila gets off her horse and follows.

As they get closer to the cave, Gabrielle inquires, "Varia? It’s me, Gabrielle. Are you in there?"

"Don’t you trust me?" Artemis cajoles her.

"Not much." Gabrielle peers inside the dark cave. "Varia?"

After a moment of silence, a faint voice is heard from within the cave, "Gabrielle?"

"Varia!" Leaving the horses outside, Gabrielle hurries into the cave, with Lila and Artemis close behind.

Inside the cave, barely able to see anything accept a distant light, Gabrielle and co. follow Varia’s voice. "I’m in here… My leg’s broken… Gabrielle, how did you find me?"

Giving a glance back at Artemis, Gab replies, "I had a little help."

"A little?" Artemis snuffs.

Finally, they reach her, sitting on the ground next to a small fire – her leg stretched out in front of her, rapped in a split of twigs and vines. Gabrielle examines it with interest. "Well done."

"We Amazon’s are pretty resourceful when we need to be." They smile at each other. "Who do have with you?"

"This is my sister, Lila."

"Gabrielle’s sister is a sister of the Amazon’s. Glad to meet you."

Lila offers her hand in greeting, "I wish it were under better circumstances."

"No kidding." Varia adjusts her position so Lila can sit next to her.

Gabrielle changes the subject, "How did you get away from Velasca?"

"Some of my warriors turned a blind eye so I could escape."

"Do you think they’d still be loyal to you, given the chance."

"I think so."

"Good. We may need their help."

"What’s your plan?"

"First I need you to tell me all you know. Did you hear anything - anything from Velasca that might give us an advantage?"

"She kept ranting about taking her mother’s place."

Gab is taken aback. "Her mother?"

"Yeah. She’s claiming to be Artemis’ long lost daughter. She’s planning to take her place as patron goddess of the Amazon’s, now that Artemis is dead."

Gabrielle looks at Artemis, "She’s your daughter??"

Artemis frowns, "In her dreams!"

Gab is insistent, "Are you sure about that?"

"Positive." Artemis looks more than confident.

Varia’s confusion is mounting. "Gabrielle… who are you talking to?"

Gab looks at Artemis again, highly annoyed. "You’re not visible? Oh thanks!"

"We’re in Arcadia now. My forests. I have to be careful."

Gabrielle sighs, "Right!"

Lila turns to Varia with sympathy. "Don’t worry. You get used to it after a while."

Later that night, Gabrielle has laid out the plan to her comrades. But Artemis shakes her head. "I don’t like it."

"Me neither," Xena chimes in.

"Who asked you? Either of you." Gab’s headache has returned.

Varia whispers to her newfound friend, Lila, "There are two of them?"

Lila shrugs, "Apparently. I’ve lost count, myself."

Xena is adamant, "It’s too risky."

"Well, I’m the one taking the risks, not you. So it’s my decision."

"Precisely! That’s why I don’t like it." Xena and Gabrielle face off.

"Do you have a better idea?" It seems a lifetime ago since Xena first saw Gabrielle stand up to Draco’s men by herself. And Xena had to admit, not much has changed, really. The fire is still as bright as ever in those green eyes she has grown to love… and depend upon. Xena looks into those very eyes in compete silence. "No?" Gab looks at Artemis, "How about you?" Artemis shrugs. "Or you two? Any suggestions?" Varia and Lila look blankly back at her, shaking their heads. "All right then! It’s settled. We leave at dawn. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to sleep now."

Lila and Varia look at each other, then out at… the emptiness on the other side of the fire, where Xena and Artemis are scowling at one other for a moment before simultaneous disappearing.

Curling up on her bedroll, Gabrielle closes her eyes with a smile. "Finally. Peace and quiet."

Just outside the cave entrance, Artemis sits in quiet meditation in the moonlight. But her reverie is interrupted by Xena, who appears next to her in quite a state of agitation.

"All right, moon goddess… What in the name of the gods are you doing? Are you trying to get Gabrielle killed?"

Without opening up her eyes, Artemis calmly responds, "Why would I want to do that?"

"You tell me? … Revenge?"

"For what?"

"I don’t know. To get back at me for killing your son?"

"My son was a fool." She opens her eyes and looks at Xena. "Exactly how would Gabrielle’s death avenge him? Would it really cause you that much pain, Xena? I would think you’d be glad to finally have her with you again."

"It’s not her time."

"Who says? You? Since when were you ordained an oracle… a fate… a god? You may have been the cause of thousands of deaths, Xena, but are you so egotistical to think you are completely responsible. How do you know it wasn’t their time to die? Hum? Gabrielle is on her own path now, thanks, in part, to you. But you are not responsible for her. Not any more."

Xena is speechless. She can’t defend herself, even though she knows that… What exactly does she know? Could Artemis be right? … But what does all this have to do with keeping Gabrielle from getting killed? "I can’t let Gabrielle die!"

"What do you intend to do about it? You know her better than anyone. Can you stop her?"

Xena sighs. "No. She’ll do what she thinks is right, no matter the consequences."

Artemis smiles. "That sounds vaguely familiar."

"What does that mean?"

Artemis looks at her with a knowing, bemused glance. "All right. You obviously have something you want to say to me. Out with it."

After a slight pause, "I think I’ve said quite enough for one night. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to finish my communal." She closes her eyes again.

"Always so aloof… so distant. But that’s your strength, isn’t it? A godly trait for sure, but you always seemed to out-shine the others in that regard. Of course, I had to learn that the hard way, didn’t I?" Xena kneels down in front of Artemis, staring at her, intently. "Ok. We won’t talk about what’s bothering you. So how about what’s bothering me? I’ve got nothing better to do." Xena takes a deep breath. "Why did you leave me as a child? … Didn’t you care that my village was being attacked… my friends and family killed? Didn’t it matter to you in the slightest?" Artemis stays quiet. As if she were that young teenager again, Xena is near tears, remembering back to a time long ago. "You said you were my friend."

"I was. I am."

"No. You don’t desert a friend when they need you most."

Artemis opens her eyes and stares unflinchingly into Xena’s deep blue ones. "Don’t they? Even if it might be for the best?"

"Lyceus’ death? … My turning to evil and joining Ares? All that was for the best?"

"It made you stronger, gave you skills I couldn’t hope to teach you. It brought you to Gabrielle. It led you to your way. There’s a balance in all things, Xena. You can’t have the best in life without the worst." She waits a moment to let this sink in before, "So too, guilt cannot exist without forgiveness."

For once in her life, Xena has been led into a web of thoughts in which she has difficulty maneuvering. "You want me to forgive you? Is that what this is about?"

"Is it? You tell me."

As Xena contemplates the endless cycle of questions before her, the Moon shines brightly down on them, begging her brother Sun to wait just a little longer before making his glorious appearance. But alas he cannot wait, and the morning comes, presenting all of the forthcoming danger this band of do-gooders now faces.

One by one, Gabrielle, Varia, and Lila get into their places in the woods, surrounding Velasca’s camp. They watch as the Amazon warriors prepare for battle with drums, chanting, dances, and war paint. Artemis, positioned in her sideline viewpoint, takes to heart the continuations of tradition to which the Amazons hold fast. Traditions she, herself, encouraged them to develop so long ago. Her satisfaction is crushed, however, when a group of warriors usher out the captured queens, who are then tied to stakes, which have been placed in a circle around a blazing fire in the center of the camp. A tower has been erected as an alter of sorts at the pinnacle of the circle.

Gabrielle nods to each of her companions, who in turn nod their readiness. Gab then makes her move into camp, unseen by it’s occupants. Like a fox she creeps around huts and wagons, getting as close to the center of camp as possible.

A young warrior motions for the ceremony to halt. "Sisters! We humbly ask that the new goddess of the Amazons - the great Velasca, herself - honor us with her presence, so that we may offer her these rebel warriors as tribute to her almighty powers. Oh fierce and noble Velasca, come and be with us as we prepare to go to battle in your name against your greatest enemy, Ares. Help us defeat his army and bring you to your rightful place as Queen of all Olympus, ruler of the Universe."

Artemis watches in utter amazement. "What a crock o’ shit!"

Suddenly a gust of wind sweeps through the woods and into the camp. The bond fire rises higher into the sky, swirling with the funnel of wind that engulfs it. The funnel sinks down into the flames, only to burst forth again as Velasca steps out from it and onto the tower’s platform.

"Now that’s an entrance." Artemis might actually be impressed if she weren’t so disgusted by such a spectacle.

"Velasca!" Gabrielle whispers from beneath a wagon she ducked under while watching Velasca’s audacious arrival.

"That’s Velasca all right." Xena stands at Artemis’ shoulder, taking in the scene.

"You had doubts?" Xena throws Artemis a quick snarling glance before getting her watchful eyes back on Gabrielle.

Velasca addresses her troops, "I accept your generous gift… However, there’s just two items missing." She turns to direct everyone’s attention to two warriors dragging into camp a stumbling Varia, whose head is dripping with blood.

"Varia!" Gabrielle’s intake of breath keeps her exclamation from being too audible.

"There’s one. Now we wait for the second… Come out, come out, where ever you are!" Velasca looks around expectantly. "Oh Gabrielle. Didn’t you learn your lesson the first time? You can’t hide from me. I can smell you!"

While Varia is being tied to a stake, the other Amazons look around, wondering if Velasca’s claims are true. A few even whisper to each other, "Queen Gabrielle? … Is she really here?"

"Gabrielle! Don’t be a fool. What do you hope to accomplish? Your precious Xena is dead. Varia and all your fellow queens captured. You’re all alone. Not even… your sister can help you now." Another warrior pulls Lila out from behind a tent.

Gabrielle bites her lip, as Velasca laughs. "You can’t defeat me! No one can."

"Think again, sweetie!"

Velasca turns to see Artemis standing on the other side of the bond fire.

"Who in blazes are you?"

"Well, I’m not your mama, that’s for sure."

Varia musters the strength to declare to all, "This is Artemis… True goddess of the Amazons!"

The crowd goes all a buzz, while Velasca laughs some more. "That’s impossible. Artemis is dead. Xena killed her."

Artemis calmly challenges her, "Where you there? As I recall you’ve been stuck in a lava pit for… how long’s it been anyway? A true god would have gotten out long ago."

"I am a true god! Which is more than I can say for you."

Artemis is getting a bit annoyed with this sorry excuse for a goddess. She takes her bow and sends an arrow straight into Velasca’s chest. Velasca barely moves upon impact. She looks down at it, removes the extremity from her person and holds it up for examination. "Well, that was pointless." She then bulls-eyes her target, unsheathes her sword, and takes a flying leap over the flames, landing smack in front of Artemis.

At which point Gabrielle takes her cue, "NOW!" As she shoots out from under the wagon to attack the nearest Amazons, Varia tosses a smoke bomb into the fire, causing much surprise and distress for her captors. Simultaneously, Lila tosses her once hidden handful of dirt into the face of her armed guard, allowing her to join Varia and a few of her loyal warriors in freeing the queens.

All the while, Velasca and Artemis are holding their own, sword to sword, blow to blow. Gabrielle makes her way, sais in hands, through the throngs of fighting Amazons, as they all take sides against each other. Once she sees that Varia and Lila have been put safely out of fighting range, Gab heads in the direction of the godly dual.

By the time she reaches them, Velasca has sent Artemis sailing through the air with a power bolt. Artemis lands ever so ungracefully at Gabrielle’s feet.

"Are you ok?"

"Just a little rusty is all. Care to join me?"

"My pleasure!"

Artemis jumps to her feet and the two of them charge their nemesis with sword and sais raised, and yells of terror. However, for being locked up in lava for decades, Velasca is proving to be tough to out master. With metal clashing and power bolts blasting, their fight seems never ending.

It even out lasts the Amazons, who eventually give up fighting amongst themselves, as they reconnect with their own tribes, and join their queens to tend to the wounded and dead.

But by this time the godly battle has made it’s way into the forest, allowing the peace making to flourish in the camp.

"Give it up girls. You can’t beat me. I’m a god. I won’t ware out. Where as you, little Gabrielle, look positively whipped!"

"Don’t trouble yourself about me. I can hold my own."

"Oh really? Even without your new partner?" With that Velasca throws her most powerful blast yet at the unprepared Artemis, who is hurled through the air, stopped only by an enormous tree trunk. Gabrielle recovers quickly from the shock of this display and takes the offensive against the evil goddess.

Xena kneels down beside the seemingly unconscious Artemis. "Get up and help her, damn you! You got her into this. You’re her only chance."

Using her sword, now, to invoke fierce striking blows, and her chakram to fend off Velasca’s counter moves, Gabrielle thrusts and spins, ducks and weaves, kicks and punches, and forces Velasca farther and farther into the woods.

In tears, Xena follows the battle and watches helplessly, as her soul mate fights courageously, but foolishly against her over-powering foe. Almost in a whisper Xena pleads to the air, "Gabrielle… stop! You can’t win… Artemis, please. Save her."

Just then Velasca takes the advantage and lands a ferocious kick squarely on Gabrielle’s chest, shooting her backwards several yards. She lands in a heap on the ground.

As Velasca prepares for her final, fatal power serge, Xena takes a deep breath, "ARTEMIS!" and jumps into a flying flip, "Lelelelelelelelele-eeee-ya!" At the same time Artemis dives in as well, only to come crashing into Xena’s unawares spirit and Velasca’s death bolt, just before it reaches it’s target.

Upon impact, a huge lightning flash erupts, blinding Velasca for a moment. When she recovers, she finds herself standing face to face with a new and improved Artemis – glowing with might and strength. "I think you’re done here. The Amazons have a patron god. The only one they’ll ever need." She waves her hand mockingly at her inferior. "Bye, bye." And with a flick of her finger, Velasca disappears. "Ah. Fickle power. What are we gods to do?" She shrugs her shoulders and smiles with satisfaction.

Lila comes running through the woods, "Gabrielle? What happened? There was this huge flash of li--" She stops dead in her tracks the moment she sees Artemis standing there ablaze in her newfound glory. "By the gods!"

"Lila. Thank you for your help." Lila is speechless, as she watches Artemis go over to Gabrielle, who is just now coming to. "How do you feel?"

"Like a Titan just stepped on me." Artemis smiles. "Where’s Velasca?"

"I sent her to Ares, as a present. He should have a lot of fun with her, I think."

"Mm. Yeah." Gab rubs her head, as Xena suddenly sits up beside them.

"Aaa!"

Artemis looks innocently over at Lila. "Lila? What’s the matter? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

Gabrielle too glances in her sister’s direction, only to find Lila, pale as a sheet, mouth hanging open, pointing her finger straight at Xena. "Wha—what’s going on?" Gab turns to her best friend, who is looking quite shocked and confused in her own right.

"That’s what I’d like to know." Xena begins to examine herself. "Why am I alive?"

"Yo-- You’re alive?" Gabrielle can hardly say the words.

"She’s alive." Artemis looks quite pleased with herself.

Not fully comprehending any of this yet, Gabrielle turns her deep green gaze towards Artemis. "You did it! You brought her back?"

"That was the plan."

Xena is still in shock. "How?"

"Well, I had a little help." She winks at her blonde co-conspirator.

Xena is starting to put two and two together. "Velasca’s power bolt."

"Yep. We were both in need of a pick-me-up. Velasca provided the required… energy boost."

"But I… I can’t come back. The souls I avenged…"

"The Universe works in mysterious ways, Xena. Revenge is a greedy bastard that can never be satisfied. Only forgiveness can truly heal all wounds. And that you’ve been given… Thousands of times over. So accept it, and give it freely in return. You have too much still to accomplish here. So, it would seem, have I." She and Gabrielle give each other knowing glances, then Artemis gets up, helping Gab and Xena to do the same. But without a word she turns and leaves the two soul mates alone, and gently leads a bewildered Lila back to camp. "So, Lila. Have you ever thought about joining the Amazons? …"

Gabrielle slowly looks up at Xena, who is intently looking down at her… tears welling up in both women’s eyes. Without saying a word, they gently take one another in each other’s arms and hold on tight, as if never to let go again.

Back at the camp that night, the fire now roars for peace, not war. Gabrielle sidles up to Artemis on a bench, away from the hubbub of celebration, for one last, private question. "I was wondering something."

"Yes?"

"Your daughter…"

"What about her?"

Gab hesitates to gain her courage. "She’s Xena… isn’t she?"

Artemis looks lovingly at her Warrior Queen, "Tell me… Why do all of your stories have Xena as the hero?" Gabrielle thinks for a second, but before she can respond, "Try writing a story about yourself sometime. It may surprise you what you’ll find." Pondering this remark, Gabrielle looks up to see Xena approaching. When she turns back to Artemis, the oh-so-elusive goddess is gone.

Xena comes and sits down beside her. "Are you ok? You look perplexed."

"I am."

"Well, it has been an… unusual day."

"No kidding." There’s a long moment of silence between them. It’s finally broken by Gabby’s soft, sweet voice, "I can’t believe you’re here," her last word catching in her throat.

Xena puts her arm around Gab’s shoulders. "I know," she whispers in her ear.

"Promise me it’s not a dream."

"I promise."

"And promise me you won’t die… anytime soon."

Xena smiles, but is silent. But Gabrielle hears the answer, and lays her head, contently onto her lover’s shoulder. They sit there a while… caught up in their reverie. Finally, Gabrielle raps her arms around Xena’s waist and buries her face in her neck. Xena lays her head on top of hers, and places her hand on Gabby’s cheek. "Let’s go."

"Go where?"

"Anywhere but here."

Gabrielle lifts her head, grinning from ear to ear. She then takes Xena’s hand, and leads the way…

To Further Adventures…

SaM (Sarah M. Mears) – 7/30/01

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