A/N: This idea just popped up in my head and I've been writing like a maniac for the past two days. I have a few chapters written. This never happens.

So basically, the chapters will jump a few years each time, each labelled by Gabrielle's age, which is meant to illustrate the stages in their relationship as she grows older. With a little luck, it'll be coherent and easy to understand. As usual a few sentences in italics are thoughts, a few paragraph in italics are most likely flashbacks.

Language: real bad, yo.

Mature content: Nope

Violence: Mild, for now.

The raven haired warrior's 28 summer old body was particularly angry with her after this last battle. She sat atop her dark brown mare, trotting ahead of her army as they made their way back to their base camp. Every step sent a hot bolt of pain down her spine and into her limbs, her nerve endings clearly screaming 'the fuck is wrong with you?'.

The trip was silent, with the exception of the occasional muttered curse words spoken through gritted teeth; the heaviness of this battle was being felt amongst the majority of the men. Only those blessed by the gods didn't need to have their armor repaired and deep cuts sown.

The clan they went up against was led by a particularly vicious man who would have loved to claim the head of the warrior princess for the simple inflation of his already gigantic ego. They took the victory as their innovative tactics and formations helped them overcome their foe's greater number, yet the two dozen men they lost cut down a vital chunk of their man power.

As a warrior, Xena should be proud, but as a leader, the low numbers made them seem vulnerable, something that might seem appealing to a bigger legion. Men don't like to fight fair and that's something the seasoned warrior has learned over the years. Any opportunity, no matter how unethical and cowardly it may seem, is as good as any. The ultimate goal, after all, was coming on top.

Ugly, but necessary, she thought. A sneer tugged her the corner of her mouth as she recalled the countless moments when that same thought crossed her mind just as she was about to ambush apprentice warlords with insignificantly sized armies.

She frowned severely, the usual bittersweet sentiment folks usually got from nostalgia was lost on her. Gods be damned. I'm nearing thirty summers and I'm reminiscing about the 'good ol' days' like a demented sage.

Hissing in pain, her eyes closed tightly. The soreness of the cut along her shoulder and neck was amplified as the rough material of her sleeveless shirt and weight of her battle armor rubbed against the open wound with every step her horse took.

When do warriors usually retire? I'm about ready to pass on the torch to a younger generation. Xena smiled slightly as she imagined herself giving orders while she got a relaxing back massage from a pretty young thing.

Soft and firm in all the right places. The woman shook her head, chuckling at her hormone's sudden welcome party. Better not think too much about that or I'll give myself a heart attack. She scoffed, not sure if the possibility of this happening was scary or downright shitty. Both, she reasoned.

The leader was rattled away from her depressive thoughts when one of her Captains requested everyone to halt. When Xena turned a questioning gaze his way he replied by nodding his head at the trees and bushes to their left.

The leaves rattled and stopped. Xena signaled for an archer to train his bow in that direction as a precaution; someone or some wild beast could be following them. She then gestured at one of the foot soldiers to go and inspect the area further.

The sound of his boots hitting the ground and the rattling of his armor resonated into the otherwise silent night as he took tentative steps towards the shrub in front of him. He placed his fingers around the hilt of his bloody and beaten sword, the edges of the blade scrapping against the leather scabbard to make a distinctive sound.

Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and charged into the greenery, disappearing behind the clutter of leaves. A few short seconds later, the bearded man emerged holding his sword in one hand and a seven year old girl in the other.

The petite girl's hair was long and tangled indicating she must has been running through the wilderness from quite some time. Her usual strawberry blond hair was dark and lifeless, just like her emerald green eyes. Hot tears ran freely down her face, rolling down her rounded jaw and square chin.

Attempting to free herself from the soldier's grip on the back of her dirty tunic, she relentlessly kicked at his legs and attempted to punch his stomach, but with all the armor he was wearing, her efforts were simply fruitless.

"Alive an' kickin', eh?" He tweaked the tip of her nose, which she attempted to bite, and caused rowdy laughter to erupt amongst their audience.

"Alright, alright. Put a hoof in it men." Bunch of retarded clowns. Xena rolled her eyes as she jumped down from the dark horse, pausing when her boots hit the ground. The throbbing ache in her shoulder telling her that was a really bad move. Zeus' dick that hurt!

"Wild too, eh? I like that in a woman!" More unattractive, big belly laughter.

Xena stepped towards the girl and her soldier. First things first, she thought as her fist flew directly into his throat. Now that that's done with…Promptly ignoring the violent hacking and coughing, the brunette put a friendly smile on her face before kneeling in front of the girl, whom smiled back. "What are you doing out here alone, pretty one?"

The girl crossed her arms over her chest, using her best tough look and not so imposing three foot height to her believed advantage. "Aren't you supposed to introduce yourself before asking questions?"

Raising an amused eyebrow, the warrior bit the insides of her cheek to keep a serious expression. "Xena of Amphipolis, and Commander of these knuckleheads, at your service." She extended her armor-clad hand towards the girl.

Eyeing it for a moment, the blond took the large hand and shook it firmly. "Gabrielle. It's nice to meet you." She lifted her chin in an attempt to show dominance and fearlessness, trying to suppress a smile despite herself. Gabrielle didn't know why, but she felt immediately comforted by the warrior's presence.

Never in her life would the brunette think a child was capable of stealing her heart with two simple sentences. She stood up and took a bow, "the pleasure is all mine lady Gabrielle." Crouching down to be eye level with the girl, she grew more serious and asked: "What are you doing here? Where is your family?"

"They killed them." Gabrielle's voice was low, just above a whisper. Tears collected on the bottom of her eyes lids, threatening to fall at any moment. "They killed them and I ran. I just left them." Her sorrow, her pain and her confusion was in the same instant and she crumbled down onto to the dirt covered ground, sobbing in her hands.

Great. Now what? Clearing her throat, Xena lifted her hand to pat the girl's shaking shoulder. "There, there." Even she cringed at how awkward that was. After a few minutes spent battling with her hard-headed self, the warrior caved and gathered the petite girl in her arms, whispering what she hoped were soothing and encouraging words.

When Gabrielle's sobs and tears lessened, Xena stood up with the blond in her arms and walked them back towards her horse. She lifted her up, though her shoulder protested loudly, and settled Gabrielle onto the saddle.

One of her captain broke the silence, knowing he was sticking his neck out a little too close to the blade by questioning his leader. "P-pardon Commandant, but you're not seriously thinking of bringing her with us are you?"

"And what else am I suppose to do?" She replied sharply as she sat herself down behind the trembling girl. Noticing this, Xena unpinned her cape from her left metal pauldron and wrapped it around the petite shivering body.

"With all due respect, she is not our responsibility." The man reasoned.

Turning towards him, she sought his eyes and pinned them like daggers. "I have no desire to heed your suggestion. With all due respect, Daemon." Her tone made it clear her decision was final. No one dared to discuss the matter further, at least not on the way back to their encampment.

Gabrielle shifted, moving to sit side-saddle as she settled against Xena's chest and quickly fell asleep from sheer exhaustion. The girl couldn't possibly know if she could trust them, but she figured anything would be better than being eaten by a wild beast or encountering less than friendly travelers.

Xena felt her chest constrict at the sight of the blond clinging to her in what seemed like restless sleep. And she asked herself, how in the known world a midget sized human was able to warm the cold heart of a hardened warrior.

The gods put this girl on her path for a reason, and she would vow to keep her safe if this proves to be their will. Wrapping a strong arm around Gabrielle, she held on tightly to the reins as that last thought decidedly caused more fear than comfort.

Let the good times roll, she thought sarcastically.

A/N: Let me know how I'm doing, any comment is appreciated. :)