Title: Dark Becomes Light

Author: White Werewolf

Chapter: 8

Rating: Nothing worse than the tv shows. Think people around the age of 15 are mature enough to read this. Just as the shows which tend to get dark at times, this might get there too.

Category: Gabrielle/Xander

Spoilers: In Buffy, post: "Living Conditions," In Gargoyles: Post "Journey" If Greg isn't counting season 3 as canon, I'm not either. In Xena, post: "Key to the Kingdom"

Summery: Xander finds a mystical artifact. Demona calls upon it and takes Xander along for the ride. When there, he and a gargoyle meet. Together the two

of them end up in Ancient Greece.

Disclaimer: Buffy: the Vampire Slayer is owned by Whedon, Fox, and UPN. Gargoyles is owned by Bueana Vista and Disney. Xena: the Warrior Princess is owned by Renaissance Pictures, Tapert, and Raimi.

Author Notes: This fic is not BX. I love the ship, but I want to try something different. This is also a ship that isn't soley in the Buffyverse. So, many new things are with this fic.

Crossovers Planned:

Buffy: the Vampire Slayer

Gargoyles

Xena: Warrior Princess

Special Thanks:Nick, William, and Cyclone


Xander, Xena, and Gabrielle's Campsite—Late Afternoon/Early Evening

Xander sat on his now familiar log, his right hand was toying with his sickle. He started to rotate it between his knuckles. He watched as the light from the disappearing sun was reflecting on the blade, bright oranges and pinks danced on the shimmering metal.

He and Xena yet again finished another training session. They've spent that past two days training and talking. He was getting better, Xena herself said so, but allot of work was needed. Nothing worthwhile ever is easy.

Pain was circulating around his shoulders. His arms were moving so fast and so tirelessly that pain was starting to surface. All the movements that his arms and hands were making caused tension in his muscles.

Placing his free sickle back into his waist belt, he tried to massage the back of his shoulder. He couldn't create much relief Letting out a breath, he asked, "When will this stop?"

"After the first few weeks, it'll get easier." He let go of his shoulder and turned his head slightly to the right spying the tall brunette, "You did well this afternoon."

"Thanks." He said under his breath as he started to try and massage himself again.

Xena approached him, "Let go of your shoulder."

Letting go of himself, she placed her hands on shoulders. "Here. Relax."

He suddenly felt her hands flexing and kneading his skin. His muscles were starting to relax. Xander's eyes closed as his sense of touch began to burn. The muscles started to feel better as Xena continued to knead.

All the tension that the past four days Xander experienced started to slip away, all the confusion and feelings of loss were drifting.

"Xander?"

"Hmmm?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

Xander answered honestly, "Sure."

"It's about Brooklyn. How long have you known him?"

He answered honestly, "I already told you, Xena. We met just a few days ago."

She nodded, "And how long have you known about gargoyles?"

Her friend sighed, "A few days. What are you getting at?"

Xena replied, "Xander, I'm just wondering. You two just met and you're already close friends?"

Xander told her, "He saved my life."

She showed a confused look, "He what?"

"He saved my life. The first night…"

(Flashback)

"Are you sure we came this way?" Xander asked.

Brooklyn turned to him, "Yes."

"Are you sure?"

In a tempered voice, he stated, "For the third time, yes."

He said in his defense, "Unlike you, I don't have perfect night vision."

The gargoyle rolled his eyes, "Unlike you, I don't have a mini flashlight."

Again, with his defense, "I was merely happy that I actually had something from the future that was useful. Again, we are in the past…as in past. You know, the three forms of time…past, present, and future."

Brooklyn said, "I know, Xander. I know."

Seeing the annoyance he was causing, he said, "Brooklyn, this is all new to me. Not only didn't I think time travel was possible, but I'm away from everything that I know."

Brooklyn breathed, "I can understand how you feel, Xander, but relax. We will find the other half of the Phoenix Gate."

Looking up to the sky and rubbing the back of his neck, "I hope so."

The gargoyle reassured him, "We will."

"It's a little late for night stroll, isn't?"

Xander and Brooklyn looked forward to see a new presence coming forward.

The young man raised his already armed crossbow at the voice's source. "Put the weapon down, and give me your money."

Xander couldn't help but feel frightened, but he knew what he had to do. With a calm voice, he said, "I'm thinking no."

The voice came forward. "Wrong answer." The presence came forward to reveal a tall man with that a huge muscular frame. His right hand grabbed hold of Xander's neck and lifted him up. "Drop the weapon."

Nodding, he did as he was told, "There. Weapon's gone."

Brooklyn growled, "Leave him alone."

The tall man turned to see a creature that he was already with familiar. "Go away."

The gargoyle's eyes grew white as he grabbed his man off of Xander. "Big mistake!" He roared as he yanked the man off of him. He thrown him over his shoulder and he landed against the far tree.

The man fell to the ground. After a few seconds, their opponent got back to his feet. He aimed his sword at the gargoyle, "That hurt, dammit."

Xander charged forward and tackled the man against the tree. "That's the point." Watching him fall to the ground. He did a roundhouse and whacked the man across the face.

The sword fell out of his hand and he closed his eyes. Brooklyn walked over to him and grabbed him. Lifting him over his head, the gargoyle said, "Get the hell out of here." Brooklyn then tossed his over his head and he flew away.

The two heard a thud a few feet away and waited for him to come back.

After some time passed, and realizing that he never was going to come back, Brooklyn said, "You okay?"

Xander nodded, "Yeah, thanks to you."

Brooklyn smiled, "Right back at you. I gotta admit. Most humans from where I'm from wouldn't help a gargoyle out."

The young man said, "Well, I'm not like most people."

(End of Flashback)

"So Brooklyn did save your life." Xena commented.

The messaging had stopped during the conversation. She was now sitting next to him.

He nodded, "He saved mine, and I saved his. We walked a little longer and then ran into you."

Xena sighed. That was a good reason why they were becoming friends fast. If Xander saved his life only or, if Brooklyn saved Xander's life only would be something different. But, with them both saving each others' lives, that would only mean that they were looking out for one another.

And if they were stranded in a different time? Which they were, that is a great way to start a friendship.

But Brooklyn was a gargoyle. The gargoyles of her time were usually in service to Ares and he was always trying to persuade her come back to the darkness. So, if a gargoyle said he was from the future, which would be perfect cover to try and get Xena to go back to Ares.

"It's time."

The two of them turned to face Gabrielle, Brooklyn, and Aphrodite.

"Hephaestus finished the amulet." Brooklyn said to them.

"It's totally beautiful. Hephy's a genius when it comes to artwork. You should see the bust he made of me from a few years back." Aphrodite said with pride.

Xander grinned, "That's great." He leapt off his seat.

Xena nodded, "You three go ahead. Xander and I'll catch up." Gabrielle and Brooklyn agreed.

"Just call me when you two are ready." Aphrodite said as she, Gabrielle, and Brooklyn teleported away.

Xander turned around and asked, "Why'd you say that?"

Xena said, "We have to get this straightened out."

He nodded as he sat back down. "Alright."

The Warrior Princess said, "I sometimes have a hard time admitting when I'm wrong. It's just when I first saw Brooklyn, I didn't want to get involved with any more gargoyles."

Xander sighed, "Because of Ares, right?"

She nodded, "He always wanted them part of my army. At first, I thought adding gargoyles was a good idea, but I soon found out that they couldn't be trusted."

Xander asked, "Why can't they be trusted?"

The tall woman said, "I never met a loyal gargoyle."

He showed a confused look, "What do you mean you never met a loyal gargoyle?"

"Like Brooklyn said, a gargoyle's nature is to protect. But they also are warrior who never gave me respect. They always claimed they were better then me in battle. But from what I've learned from Ares, is that he sent them that way to me because they had to learn the rules of the war god.

"The gargoyles have told me that Ares had come to them and told them to join my army. I later found out that they often tried to take over. Either that, or they'd attack women and children. Attacking women and children is something that I've always been against, but the gargoyles weren't."

Xander said slowly, "So you never met an honorable gargoyle?"

She shook her head, "No. Don't get me wrong, they are great fighters, but they can't be trusted. But after hearing your story, I was surprised Brooklyn did that."

He responded, "From what I've learned these past few days, Xena. Brooklyn is a gargoyle who is a leader and a friend. He protected me when we first met and I him. Talking to him, I already know he isn't the way you described. I think that through the centuries, gargoyles changed. Brooklyn was from Scotland before he came to my country. It was a stone spell that kept him asleep for a thousand years. He was cursed back in 994. That's over 900 years from now, Xena. I'd think 900 years is enough time for gargoyles to change, don't you?"

She had to admit, he was right. "Maybe you're right, Xander."

He grinned, "Just give him a chance like you gave me."

Xena nodded, "I'm actually leaning more to that decision now."

"Good." Xander began, "We're ready Aphrodite."

Within seconds, Xena and Xander disappeared from sight.


Forge of Hephaestus

Hephaestus limped over to his wife, Gabrielle, and Brooklyn. In his hands was a black amulet. A golden border surrounded with which linked to a chain forming the necessary necklace. "What do you think?"

Aphrodite smiled, "It's beautiful, Hephy."

He grinned his thanks as the god stared at his work. "All you have to do is wear it. I've already enchanted it."

Brooklyn brought his talon forward as Hephaestus dropped the amulet inside. Brooklyn said his thanks as he looked at it. "So all I have to do is wear it?"

Hephaestus nodded, "Yes, and since you already slept during the day, you still have the energy stored in you enough to be mobile right now. Starting tomorrow night, you will sleep when you should awake."

The gargoyle placed his talons on the chain. Opening it, he slipped it over his head and allowed it to fall freely. The amulet dangled briefly against his chest, but soon settled down.

Turning to Gabrielle, he said, "What do you think?"

As she was about to answer. Aphrodite said, "One second, Studmuffin. Xander and Xena are calling me." She snapped her fingers and the two appeared.

Xander said, "This sure beats walking."

Aphrodite said, "It's the only way to travel."

"Guys," Brooklyn started, "Hephaestus finished the amulet."

Xena asked, "Is that the amulet you're wearing?"

Hephaestus nodded, "Yes, it is. I already told Brooklyn that it will start working now. Since, he already slept during the day, he'll have the full night's time move around. Starting tomorrow night, he'll sleep."

The gargoyle said with excitement, "I can't wait to see the sun."

Gabrielle added, "It's beautiful. You're going to love it."

Xena said, "Alright, tomorrow, we'll head for Epirus."

Brooklyn said, "Tonight, I'll take watch. You guys get your rest. We're going to need it tomorrow."

Xander grinned, "Thanks for doing this, Hephaestus."

The Smith God said, "Remember though, Brooklyn. I'll call upon you in the future when I need you as payment."

The gargoyle questioned, "Do you know when that will be?"

He replied, "It could be now, a few moments from now, or days later. Maybe even years. Just concentrate on finding the other half of the Phoenix Gate."

Xena said, "And when Hephaestus calls you for something, we'll help you out."

Brooklyn was surprised by her commented, "Thank you."


TBC