Title: Forgotten
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: Xena has been attacked and Gabrielle is missing, but she can't remember what happened or who did it. Can she find her friend again, will redemption be had?
The pain behind my eyes is intense but I force them open. I can hear a gasp and two pairs of feet running towards me. I try to move but it causes my stomach to churn.
'Xena?!'
'Mother?' I look up at my mother, her eyes wild with concern. 'Where am I?' I look around seeing Joxer come up to my other side. 'Where's Gabrielle?' They both look at each other, exchanging worried looks.
'We were hoping you knew.' Joxer says with this sad look on his face. I force myself up in a sitting position, ignoring the pain and the nausea.
'You need to rest darling.' Their hands are on me, trying to push me back down.
'What happened?'
'We don't know.' My mother hands me some water, but I don't want it.
'I found you just off the road, I didn't think you were gonna make it.' Joxers eyes water slightly. 'You don't remember anything?' I drop my head in my hand, trying to think.
'The last thing I remember is…' The last thing I remember is kissing Gabrielle. Before that though. 'We were coming home, to Amphipolis.' I look up at my mom. 'How long have I been here?' Again they look at each other, as if they don't want to say. My mother sighs.
'It's been a week.' She doesn't look at me.
'What?!' I jump up to my feet, but I can barely stand as pain sears through both of my legs. What in Tartarus happened? I fall back down on my ass. Both of my legs are unnaturally swollen, the color ranging from purple to blue to yellow. Then I realize my arm is broken, how did I not notice that?
'It looks like you got the tar beat out of you.' Joxer says nodding at me. I just glare up at him.
'You didn't go look for her?' He looks at me in surprise.
'You were half dead and there were no clues. I had no idea what happened.' I know he would have looked for her if he could, but that doesn't make me feel any better.
'Where's Argo?' He shrugs. This is really not good. Why can't I remember anything? 'We need to find her.'
'You're in no shape..' I cut of my mother's words with a glare. Even if I were paralyzed I'd find a way to search for her. 'Ok, we'll figure something out. Please just lay back down right now.' She looks at me sadly.
'Wait!' Joxer suddenly exclaims, grabbing my broken arm. I'd kill him if it didn't hurt so much. He immediately backs away. 'Sorry. Umm but I think Autolycus is a close, the next village maybe.'
'Get him.' I manage to say through gritted teeth. He clumsily stumbles backwards and out of the room. I sigh. 'Mother we have to find her.'
'I know dear, I know.' She's rubbing my head tenderly. 'But you are in no state to help her.'
'If only I could remember what the Haedes happened.'
'Try and get some rest and maybe it will come back to you.' Rest, like I could sleep when Gabrielle has been out there for a week and God's know what has been happening to her. I lay down and close my eyes, listening for my mother to walk away. As soon as she's gone, my eyes pop open and I take a better assessment of my injuries.
There's nothing broken on my legs, but movement will still be painful. My arm seems to have been set correctly, and one or two ribs are broken. Not to mention various bruises and cuts that are now nearly healed. Frantically I look around for staffs or anything I can lean on to help me walk. There's a broom and a mop in the corner. I snap off the end of the mop as it's the longest and grab my armor and weapons off the table.
Making my way out to the stable, I hope that there are at least a decent number of horses being kept here. I need to pick the best one to..borrow because I don't exactly know where I'm going right now. I find a black stallion that is an obvious war horse. He will do just fine.
'Where exactly are you going to start looking?' I had heard him come in but didn't really care.
'How did Joxer find you so quick Autolycus?' I find the horses gear and begin strapping it on.
'He didn't. I heard through the grapevine that something had happened to the great warrior princess. Rumor was she's dead and her friend has been taken as a slave.' I freeze as anger surges through every vein and every muscle.
'What?' I turn, glaring at the king of thieves. He holds his hands up in self defense.
'I'm just telling you what I heard.' I stalk up to him in best a manner I can, my face only inches from his.
'What do you know Autolycus?' He's becoming nervous, sweating as he looks at me.
'I was at an Inn when I overheard some guys at another table talking.' He attempts a step or two back. 'Now mind you there had been no shortage on the ale between them.' He laughs but quickly gets back to his story. 'They were saying they were part of an army, specifically sent to kill you. Gabrielle was just a prize they said.' He lowers his head and says the last part quietly.
'But they didn't kill me.' My jaw is clenched and I feel like I'm going to explode.
'They apparently thought they did.' Well, at least I have the element of surprise. 'Xena, you can't do anything in this condition.'
'You expect me to leave her with those barbarians a moment longer?' I seethe, spittle flying from my mouth.
'No, but how are you going to fight anyone like this?' His body cowers slightly. 'And there's no trail to follow anymore, where are you going to start looking?' He straightens up as if he's got his bravado back.
'No, but we're going to find those men.'
'But you don't know what they look….wait what?' I just glare at him. 'Yes I'd be more than happy to help.' He clears his throat. 'Let me just get my things.' He pivots on his heel and walks quickly out of the barn. He'll help me because he wants to, not because I'll kill him otherwise.
