Title: Scorned

Rating: K - M

Author: Ellixer

Pairing: X/G

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

Note: I've finally seen the episode 'Anthony and Cleopatra,' and frankly I'm upset. Gabrielle should have had more self respect than she did, not let Xena walk all over her. Anyhoo, this is how I see things happening after.

Scorned

I'm confused, I'm angry and happy at the same time, and part of me really wants to hate her. I know what her choice would have been if things were different. I know that we'd go our separate ways because there is only so much I can take. Unfortunately she elicits such devotion that I can't bring myself to leave her. Not yet anyway. He's dead, I'm more than happy and I probably shouldn't be. She is…..

I can't be around her right now, not with that look on her face. She falls so easily, throwing me to the side as she reaches for someone else. I think I'll go ahead on to Amphipolis by myself, once there decide what I should really do. I don't think she cares right now anyway, so I can just leave. There's no need for me to sneak out, or leave a note. As morning hits, I grab my bags and walk out, right past her. And nothing.

I know you can't help who you fall in love with, but maybe you should know who it is you truly do love. I know, and that is what kills me the most. My life would be so much easier if only…. But this is my fate, my torture to endure. Maybe she'll say to me that it was nothing and try to act as if everything is ok, like after Ulysses. But I think I may have reached a point in my self-sacrifice where I can't give any more. So I hitch a ride to Greece.

There's this part of me that is hoping to see her show up; out of breathe from running, a panicked look in her eyes. This however does not happen, and I'm out in the water on this vessel that is bobbing up and down. I watch as the land disappears from view, and I fear I have already made my decision.

The trip is long and painful. No matter what I can never get my seasickness under control. It makes one day feel like three, and a month like a year. But one thing it saves me from, is thinking about Egypt and what I left behind there. Love can only make me blind to so much, and unfortunately my eyes were very open.

It takes a month or so before we finally arrive at the port in Glifada and my initial thought is to head home, to Potedea. But I remember Eve, and I know I need to see her one last time. So I set out on horseback, in no particular hurry whatsoever. It feels a little weird out here without Xena. But when I think of her, I think of the pain. I can't forget that, maybe in time I could forget her. It's a stupid thought and I know it.

Halfway there, Joxer comes stumbling into my camp. I'm not sure I've seen him walk into camp without falling or tripping, or acting like a court jester.

'Gabrielle!' He grabs me in a hug, and I reluctantly hug back.

'Hi Joxer.' He is refusing to let go of me. 'Joxer let go. Joxer!' He finally releases me giving me a big goofy grin.

'Hey where's Xena?' His head swivels back and forth.

'She's not with me.' I don't really want to go into it with him.

'Why not?'

'She had something to do in Egypt.' I try to act nonchalant, like nothing is wrong.

'Oh.' He looks confused for a moment, but shakes it away. 'So where you headed?'

'Amphipolis.' I'm trying to get my things packed back onto my horse, and he is seriously hindering me.

'Oh, that's where I'm going to.' I turn and narrow my eyes at him.

'You're going to Amphipolis?'

'Yeah.' He shakes his head enthusiastically. There's no point in arguing, he'll come no matter what so I might as well accept it. I take my horse by the reins and head out back onto the trail; Joxer at my side.

'So what's Xena doing in Egypt?'

'Helping Cleopatra.' I wish he would stop asking.

'Oooh is she doing some sort of secret mission.'

'No. Now I don't want to talk about it.' A mixture of hurt and confusion ripples across his face.

'Oh, ok.' He nods his head slowly, looking around. 'Soo..'

'Joxer!' He doesn't need to finish, I know what he's going to ask.

'Ok, ok.' He puts his hands up in defense. 'I'll just walk here, not saying anything.' He begins to whistle.

'Good.' This silence lasts for approximately one minute. It was longer than I expected. He begins to tell me tales of battles I know never happened. But it keeps him from asking about Xena so I let him talk to his heart's content. His arrival slows me down tremendously, and it crosses my mind that if Xena wanted to find us, she could easily do that. I think that's that part of me that lives in denial.

We manage to arrive in Amphipolis in once piece, and without me killing Joxer. A swirl of emotions churn in my stomach. I do not like finality, and this may be the last time I get to see Eve. Joxer takes the horse as I go in search of Cyrene. Her tavern is busy, bustling with people eating and drinking. I don't see her out on the floor so I make my way back to the kitchen, hesitating a moment before I walk in.

Her back is to me, she's cutting up something on a board in front of her. I clear my throat, but she doesn't seem to hear. I try again, louder this time. Cyrene spins around, a look of shock on her face.

'Gabrielle.' She's always so happy to see me. We embrace for a moment. 'Where's Xena?' I've been trying to think how I should answer this, I suppose I should just tell the truth.

'We're not together anymore.' I can feel the tears threatening to spill. Cyrene's expression changes to confusion.

'What? What do you mean?' She leads me over to the table, gesturing me to sit.

'She fell in love with someone else. I'm just here to see Eve one last time.' I try to rush through it, maybe she wont ask too many questions.

'Gabrielle..' Her voice is that of shock. 'Are you sure?'

'About what? That she loved someone else, yes. That I don't think I can handle it anymore, yes.' My tears finally spill out coating my cheeks. She takes my hands in hers.

'Oh honey I'm sorry.' She looks genuinely upset.

'You don't have to be.' I blame Cyrene for nothing, there's no reason to apologize.

'If my daughter has hurt you, then yes I do.' She takes a piece of cloth and attempts to wipe away my tears. I can't help but give her a sad smile. She's always acted like a mother to me, and even now she treats me like family. 'Eve is upstairs taking a nap.' She says after a moment.

'Thank you.' I begin to wipe my tears away furiously as I get up. 'Thank you for everything.' She nods but says nothing. What is there to say? I slowly pick my way through the crowd of people and up the stairs. I go to Cyrene's room, as that is where I assume Eve is. I can hear her faint babbling before I even open the door. I paint the biggest smile on my face as I push it open.

Eve is sitting up in her makeshift bed. I'm surprised she hasn't gotten out to wander yet. She seems intent on a wooden toy grasped in her tiny hands though. I crouch down in front of her and pull her into my arms.

'Oh my gosh, you're getting so big.' I kiss her cheeks a few times. Eve just smiles and giggles at me, arms waving about. My heart is aching, but I try not to cry, this would only upset her. So I just hold her and kiss her, and wish that I didn't really have to do this. I stay through the night, sleeping on the floor next to the baby. Cyrene keeps giving me these sad looks and I can tell she wants to say something but doesn't.

'Where are you going to go?' She asks as I begin packing my things to go.

'Amazon land for a while.' I feel more at home with the Amazons then I do with my family. She's running her hand affectionately up and down my arm.

'Are you sure?'

'Yes.' She thinks I'm making a mistake. 'Don't tell Joxer I've left yet. I don't want him following me.' I give her a kiss on the cheek, then one last hug to Eve. 'Thank you for everything.' I mount my horse and give her a small wave. God's this is hard. I urge my horse into a sprint. The quicker I leave the better, otherwise I might never leave.