The Deal

Xena didn't know how to react. At first she was confused. Then she was happy. But as is usually the case with Xena, the emotion she settled on was anger.

"Now?! After all this time? You let me sit in here and watch my best friend come unravelled, and now suddenly when it suits your purpose, you come in here and what? Tell me you're sending me back?!"

Michael sighed and shifted his weight. "I'm just the messenger, Xena."

Xena rolled her eyes. "What does this mean, exactly? My spirit can return to Gabrielle again, or what?"

Michael half smiled and stood taller. "No. He has realized His...mistake, and wants to try and make it up to you."

Xena growled through gritted teeth. "Mistake? Mistake?! What the hell kind of God is this? Gods don't make mistakes. At least not ones they admit to. And how exactly is He going to make up for five years of Gabrielle's suffering?"

Michael smirked. "This God is different. I know you both have been through a lot, and I am sorry for that. But to make up for it, He is sending you back. In life. You'll be alive and well, and back at Gabrielle's side."

Xena felt her eyes well up. She darted her eyes around, thinking about what this meant. "What's the catch?"

Michael scoffed. "Why do you always assume there's a catch?" Xena glared, causing Michael to concede. She was right. Of course there was a catch. He nodded. "I can't tell you anything about the war. That needs to play out on it's own. All I can tell you is you need to head for Spain." Xena nodded. That just seemed too simple. She remained quiet, knowing that Michael wasn't finished. "Also. If He is going to send you back, He's not going to allow you to continue to deny the gifts He has bestowed upon you any longer."

Xena wobbled her head, confused. "What do you mean?"

Michael scoffed and shook his head. "You've spent your life allowing your hatred and anger to lead you. All other emotions like love and faith in others were pushed to the background. When you return, that won't be the case anymore. In fact, it will be the opposite."

"But that's what made me who I am. If you change those things, I won't be me anymore."

Michael shook his head. "Nothing about you will change. You'll just become more aware of these other emotions, these gifts you have been given. You'll be able to feel things that have always been there, you've just been suppressing. Things like compassion, admiration, love."

Xena rolled her eyes. "Great. Sounds like something Aphrodite would do."
Michael just smiled. "If you want me to do this, I need to have something in return."

Michael shook his head and crossed his arms. "This isn't something we can negotiate, Xena."

Xena stepped forward and thrust her finger into Michael's chest. "You want this war stopped or not?"

Michael sighed and pushed Xena's finger off him. "What do you want?"

"Assurances. Once Gabrielle and I do this...stop this war, we're done. You leave us be, let us live the rest of our lives in peace. I've had enough of interferences from Gods. We're done."
Michael smiled. "That was always His plan for you and Gabrielle. Not all interferences have to be bad. It was never His plan for you to die in Japa. This I can promise you, Xena. Once you stop this war, you and Gabrielle will find peace together. This is where you were meant to find your redemption. This war. This last act for the greater good."

Xena wiped tears away from her eyes as Michael's words met her ears.

"But be warned," Michael continued. It's not an easy road to get there. You will be met with adversity starting the second you go back. You just need to have faith in Him, and let Him guide you. Think you can do that?"

Xena half smiled as the realization that she was about to be reunited with Gabrielle started to sink in. She nodded. "I can try."

Michael put a hand on Xena's shoulder compassionately. "This is your last chance, Xena. Take care of yourself. And Gabrielle. Let the gift of Him allowing your other emotions to show guide you on the remainder of your journey on Earth." He smiled into Xena's eyes before giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead.

Xena's relationship with Michael had been rocky to say the least, but in this moment she knew this act was not only coming from him, but from his God. She let him kiss her and then sniffled as they met eyes again.

"Are you ready?"

Xena nodded. "Yes."