Title: Working With Fire

Rating: M

Author: Ellixer

Pairing: X/G

Disclaimer: Characters and show are owned by Universal and others. The story is mine. I make nothing.

Note: Sequel to my story How We Work. I don't know what I'm writing till it's done so you'll know what this story is about, around the same time I do. Feedback is gushed over, so please send it. Let me know what I'm doing wrong so I can fix it.

Screams; nothing but screams. Some in agony, some in fear, others pure heartbreak. The air feels like it's on fire, the environment around us seems to be heating up. The sky is giving off an orange red glow as ash and fire rains down from the heavens. The ground trembles beneath our feet as we scramble out of the tavern, Xena trying to keep her mother upright.

We both look up at the new mountain jutting up from the earth. Liquid fire is spewing from its mouth in every direction. It is much too close and everyone in this town will be dead in a matter of minutes.

'Xena, what's going on? There shouldn't be any volcanoes around here.' She looks around grimly, she has an idea but doesn't want to share.

'We need to get these people out of here.' I hear a whistling noise; the sound of a projectile headed right at us. A ball of fire hits the ground just feet away, exploding on impact and sending us all flying in different directions. My head bounces off the ground, and for a minute I see two of everything.

Feet are running by me in different directions, tripping and falling. One thing I know is we need to run away from the volcano, and we need to do it now. As I get back to my feet I look around. I don't see Xena or her mother, but I do see a group of girls huddled together screaming.

Another ball of fire hits the ground not far away sending bodies flying through the air, incinerating one person into nothing. I have to physically shove the girls into movement; one girl bending over to retch mid stride but I urge her on. A relative comes rushing up, grabbing one of the girls by the wrist and leading the whole group off.

I continually pick people up, dragging them if I have too, in order to get out of the path of the lava. I've lost Xena in the chaos. I want to go look for her but I know I have to get as many of these people away as possible. You can't really outrun a volcano but you sure as hell can try.

Something knocks into me from behind with enough force to send my body skidding along the ground. Dirt, rocks, and debris bite into my skin, shredding a good portion of my stomach and arms. I slowly pull myself back up, though something doesn't feel right. Pain hits me like a thousand thunderbolts as I realize my back has caught on fire.

A few panicked seconds ensue before I'm tackled to the ground. A body is pressed against my back, hands slapping at my fabric. I don't even get a chance to breath before I'm lifted over a man's shoulder, my body jostling painfully as he runs at top speed. The pain becomes too much, soon overcoming me.

Pain is what also brings me back to reality. My ears are the first senses to work as I try to get my bearings. There's a cacophony of noise ranging from talking, to crying, to screaming out in agony. I find myself face down on the ground, but I can feel hands moving about my body.

'Shh, don't move dear. You're alright.' Cyrene's voice drifts down to me.

'Xena?' The only word I can manage through clenched teeth.

'She's fine though she nearly killed herself getting all the horses out of the stables.' I hiss, my hand clench as I feel a cloth slowly pulled away from my back. 'You got burned pretty good. Right now all I can do is keep it clean. I'm sorry.' The weight of a cool cloth on my back is nearly too intolerable.

I try not to move as I finally look around me. The sky is still a mixture of black and orange. I can't see where we are but I can smell burning trees and flesh. The flesh may just be my own, but I'm sure I'm not the only one to get scorched. Somehow, my staff is still clenched firmly in my hand. That that I can even use it right now, but it brings a small sense of comfort.

Cyrene is talking to me, saying something but the words seem to be growing fainter and fainter. I'm struggling between agony and consciousness. I'd really rather not slip into unconsciousness without seeing Xena's face. I can't believe I'm just laying here.

'I've got to go help.' I mutter, trying to stand but only managing a weak push upwards. Cyrene's hands grasp my shoulders gently, urging me back down without too much struggle. 'Xena.' I'm not sure I'm actually speaking at this point. 'She'll need my help.' I feel like I'm talking to myself. The pain in my body is making my head spin, the urge to vomit becoming harder and harder to ignore. I close my eyes, hoping against all hope that all of this just goes away. Let it be a dream.

I feel a hand on my cheek, calloused fingers brushing over scrapes and gauges. It takes more effort to open my eyes than it does to breath, but slowly my eyelids manage to lift, albeit barely enough to see out of.

'Xena.' I can't really make out her face through my blurry eyes, but her fingers wipe away the tears that forge their way down my cheek.

'We've got to move again.' There's something pressed up against my lips, sour and tasting of cow pies. My eyes close, the strength completely gone from my body, and soon with it, my consciousness.

The scream is out of my mouth before I'm even fully awake. Panic surges through my veins as I fight off whatever is attacking me. Strong hands hold me down, increasing the burning sensation covering my body. The fire, I'm on fire. I try to move my arms, to bring them to my back to snuff out the fire. But I'm being held down and I can't imagine why someone would just let me burn. Where is Xena?

I'm screaming out her name, my head swiveling back and forth to find her, but all I can see is flames. It's eating away at me bit by bit. Frantically I continue to call out for Xena, but she never comes. My tears sizzle and evaporate with the heat of the flames. My body too, is soon consumed by the hungry fire.