"Xena."

She faced Gabrielle for the first time since they had come back from the battle. Gabrielle was looking down at her hands, tearing her nails into ragged ends which welled up with blood that was hastily wiped off.

Xena knelt down by Gabrielle and covered her hands with her own darker, larger ones. The scars on her hand were ugly and curved like cruel smiles, twisted and jagged and branching everywhere. Gabrielle looked up. It was so comfortable making eye contact with the warrior. Natural. Even now.

"I'm sorry."

There was silence.

Finally, Gabrielle sighed. Smiled. "I know."

More silence. And then,

"Please don't ever leave me again."