All or Nothing
She
doesn't have to imagine all the love in this dying heart. Aphrodite
can see into every soul, pushing past layer after layer of lies,
uncovering each desire and each sadness.
But
she never had to wonder about this mortal. This mortal, constantly
throwing herself into the line of fire.
This
mortal, always treating enemies as friends... or at the very least,
forgiving if not forgetting.
This mortal, this Gabrielle, is so good at breaking someone down. Gabrielle is so damned good at sneaking around the barriers, at making you like her, at making you... kind of.... love her.
Even
now, with life seeping into the ground, Gabrielle is dictating
Aphrodite's actions.
Gabrielle
is making the goddess of all things lovely leave her family.
Gabrielle is causing these pale immortal hands to caress blood-soaked
locks of hair.
And
Aphrodite does not have to figure out how Gabrielle gives of her
love.
She
can see it all along the cut on this mortals head and in the threat
from shattered blue eyes so near.
This
mortal cradled in Aphrodite's lap gives it all. Or nothing.
Gabrielle
walks in and offers up the world in her smile. You can take it or
leave it... but it is forever yours if she chooses you. If she deems
you worthy... if you don't shove her too far away.
And,
not for the first time, Aphrodite thinks what a fool Xena must be.
How can the warrior not see what is so clearly hers?
And,
right now with the universe changing, Aphrodite knows how lucky Xena
is.
You get it all. And the rest of us... we get nothing.
END