Author's Note: This is the "true" story of Xena and Gabrielle. You will find this section extremely subtext-friendly. If two women showing their love for one another is not your cup of tea, please find another story you'd like to read. This story will be submitted in several parts and is based off the series, yet the "history" has been changed somewhat to suit the purposes of this story. Not all sections will contain erotic sex scenes as there is a plot.

Also, I'd like to note that I do not own Xena: Warrior Princess, the series, or the characters and I will not be receiving any payment whatsoever for writing this story. It is intended for entertainment purposes only.

(This chapter doesn't contain the usual sex scenes, although there is a brief description of forced sex involving a demon.)

*o*

After leaving the Amazon Village, Xena and Gabrielle traveled to Anphipolis, the city of Xena's birth. There, Xena's mother, Cyrene lived, along with her oldest son, Xena's only living sibling, Torris. After Xena had rescued Gabrielle from the slave traders, she had made amends with her mother with Gabrielle's help. Now Cyrene missed her only daughter greatly, wishing Xena would return for a visit. On this particular day, her wish would come true. Not only would Xena come home, but she would bring along Gabrielle, the young woman who had brought her precious daughter back to Cyrene.

Xena walked into the inn her mother owned, Gabrielle by her side. Cyrene immediately rushed forward upon seeing her daughter, grasping Xena tight in her arms. "My daughter, you have come home!" Cyrene exclaimed, looking Xena up and down, so glad to see her offspring.

"Mother, you have been missed!" said Xena with a huge grin. "How do you fare? And how is Torris; breaking young women's hearts as always?"

"I am well, daughter. And Torris is, too. He was recently married. Too bad we couldn't reach you. Your brother really wanted you here for the wedding."

"I'm sorry I missed it. I have been quite... busy," Xena spoke, her eyes moving over to Gabrielle who was listening to the conversation intently. Xena reached out, wrapping an arm around her beloved. "Gabrielle and I have been fighting for the greater good. I wanted to make you proud, Mother... after all the wrongs I have done."

"You do make me proud, Xena. I'm glad you've come home. Will you be staying with us permanently?" asked Cyrene hopefully, although she knew instinctively that her daughter was unlikely to settle down. She then glanced at Gabrielle, giving her a bright smile. She loved Xena's little blond companion very much. There was something about Gabrielle... she was full of so much light and goodness. She was exactly what Xena had needed to fill the empty dark spaces in her daughter's heart.

"No, Mother... we are just here for a visit. There is so much we need to talk about..." Xena spoke, her words trailing off. How would she broach the subject of she and Gabrielle's joining to her mother? Her mother knew that Xena had a wild past with various men, but to her knowledge, her mother knew nothing of Xena's other side, her love for women. How would her mother handle the news? Of course, Cyrene deeply admired Gabrielle, but would she accept the fact that Xena loved her little sidekick as more than a friend?

"Indeed there is," Cyrene agreed, smiling once again at Gabrielle, who had not spoken a word yet which was very unusual for the talkative young bard. Lately Gabrielle had been hauntingly silent, as though something was troubling her once ever-so-peaceful state. Xena didn't know how to handle the unsettling silence.

Gabrielle smiled back, then went into Cyrene's embrace for a warm hug. "I missed you, Cyrene," she said affectionately, kissing the older woman softly on the cheek. "I especially missed that sweet nutbread you like to make."

Cyrene's chuckles echoed Xena's. "She does have an insatiable hunger for nutbread," said Xena with a hearty laugh. "Did I ever tell you about the time she got drugged when eating the stuff?"

"No... ummm... you haven't..." said Cyrene as her curiosity peaked, but Gabrielle cut the conversation off.

"Come on, Xena... you mustn't tell your mother all the gruesome details of our adventures," Gabrielle insisted, grasping Xena's hand and giving it a small warning squeeze. She always got embarrassed when Xena told the story of her getting drugged out of her mind when eating an entire nutbread loaf that had been laced with a drug called Henbane. Xena loved telling that story, but it always made Gabrielle blush.

Cyrene covered a smile, then lead Xena and Gabrielle to a table near the bar. "How about a hot meal and some wine, then we will talk?" she suggested, knowing that soon the patrons would be leaving for the night. Then there would be plenty of time to catch up on the many lost months they had been apart. Xena looked as though she had something very important to say. Could Cyrene's hunches be right? Could Xena have possibly met someone special and decided to settle down? Cyrene could only hope; she longed for many grandchildren.

"That sounds wonderful, Mother. Thanks," Xena said as she and Gabrielle were seated at a particularly large wooden table. Soon a hot meal was brought to them and wooden goblets of wine. Xena drank greedily, but Gabrielle sipped hers like a lady. The crowd began to disperse, and Cyrene came to sit with her daughter and her companion, watching with a mother's pleasure to see the both of them eating quite heartily.

"What brings you here, Xena? You haven't came here since we reconciled. This isn't just an ordinary visit, is it?" Cyrene questioned.

"No, Mother, it isn't," Xena spoke, not quite ready to divulge anything; she was too busy enjoying her mother's delicious cooking.

"Well, she's not talking, Gabrielle," Cyrene said, turning her attention to the green-eyed blond. "Would you tell me what's going on with Xena?"

Gabrielle looked up from her plate, meeting Cyrene's eyes. "Xena's here to ask you something," Gabrielle answered.

"Really? What do you have to ask me?" Cyrene looked at Xena, watching as her daughter finally ceased shoving food into her mouth.

Xena swallowed, then took a long sip of wine, savoring the potent taste upon her tongue. The wine in Anphipolis was the finest in the land. It had a delicious flavor Xena had greatly missed. "Mother, I've known for a very long time you have hoped I would marry and have children," Xena began, choosing her words carefully. "There have been lovers for me over the years, but no one I ever wanted to settled down with... in fact, I am not certain I ever can... "Settle Down."

"I have been in love, but never have I given anyone my whole heart... not until now. Mother, what I am trying to tell you, is that it means so much for me to ask your blessing. I have found someone I love very much. Someone I wish the share the rest of my life with... someone who is EVERYTHING to me..."

"Well, where is he?" Cyrene cut in to demand.

Xena shook her head. "No, Mother, you do not understand," Xena spoke. "The one I love sits here before you now. It is Gabrielle. She's the one I love."

Cyrene's eyes went quickly from Xena, to Gabrielle, widening greatly. This was not what she had expected to hear. She began to speak in a strange babble, too shocked to form a coherent thought. "Gabrielle? She... you... ohhhh myyyy!" she gasped, holding on tight to the edge of the table as though the room were spinning haphazardly.

"Mother, please try to understand. Gabrielle is special to me. She has my heart. I love her in a way I could never love a man. Please give us your blessing. It means so much to the both of us. Gabrielle loves you greatly," Xena went on to explain. "We want to be joined in the Amazon village. We would like you to be there, if you can attend. But we have to talk to Gabrielle's parents first. We seek their blessings as well."

Cyrene didn't say anything for several moments, as though trying to absorb the heavy weight of the information. Gabrielle held her breath. She didn't want to be the cause of a rift between Xena and her mother again, not when she had so recently helped them to reconcile and see beyond their differences. She crossed her fingers, hoping that Cyrene would understand and grant her blessing.

Cyrene turned her gaze to Gabrielle, looking deeply into sea-green eyes. "Gabrielle, you brought my daughter back to me. You helped to mend the wounds between us with your goodness. There is no way I can repay you for that. It is a gift which is priceless... I am so glad to have my Xena back... my little one... there are not enough thank yous I could possibly say to convey how indebted I am to you. You gave me back a piece of my own heart."

Cyrene reached out, taking her hand and placing it over Gabrielle's. She then took Gabrielle's small hand, laying it upon her daughter's larger one, joining the two. "If you make Xena happy, you have my whole-hearted blessing. No one has ever reached her the way you have. You brought my daughter back from the dark place she was enslaved. That kind of love is amazing and should be celebrated. I will be there on the day you join... and I will be proud. I want you to be happy, Xena," Cyrene then said to her daughter. "That's all I ever wanted for you."

A smile broke out over Xena's face and her eyes welled up with tears. If only she could make her mother's other wish come true... and there could be a whole bunch of grandkids; her mother always wanted babies to rock. But that would be up to Torris now. Solan, Xena's only child was no longer hers to love, and she could not give Gabrielle a child. If it were possible, she would give Gabrielle as many babies as her heart desired, but no matter how hard the two of them wished, that dream was unlikely to come true.

"Thank you, Mother," said Xena as she wiped away the lone tear that escaped from her eye. "That means so much to me."

"Welcome to the family, Gabrielle," said Cyrene, smiling at her daughter, then opening her arms to Gabrielle. Gabrielle hugged Cyrene tightly, feeling loved and accepted. In her own family, the love had never flowed this freely, but oh how she wished it would. She was fairly certain they wouldn't have the reception they had received here in Anphipolis. In Potedia, their love was unlikely to be unaccepted. Gabrielle wasn't sure what she would do or how she would react if her own parents refused to grant blessings on she and Xena's union. She only knew one thing, she loved Xena... and nothing ever could come between what she and Xena shared. It was rooted into her very existence. She didn't know how to breathe without Xena. It would tear apart if she lost her love.

"You are my daughter now," Cyrene said, lovingly stroking Gabrielle's long blond hair. "Here, you are accepted and loved. This is your home too, don't you ever forget it."

"I won't, Cyrene," Gabrielle said as her own eyes filled up with tears. "I love you, too."

"Is this a family reunion?" a deep voice said at the door.

"Torris!" Xena exclaimed, jumping up and running to her brother. She nearly knocked him down when she hugged him. She was only about an inch shorter than he and nearly as muscular. He ruffled her hair, after all, she may be a Warrior Princess, but to him, she would always be his kid-sister.

"Xena, damn, it's good to see ya!" Torris spoke with a huge grin.

Gabrielle smiled at him, thinking his eyes were the same amazing blue as Xena's and Cyrene's, and he had Xena's black hair as well. He looked to be nearly the male twin of her love. She suddenly thought of Xena's idea of him being the one to impregnate her, so that they could have a baby someday. Gabrielle found herself blushing, when thinking of herself in the arms of this handsome man, making a baby with him. She was glad that Xena's brother couldn't read her racing thoughts.

"You must be Gabrielle," Torris said, grinning at the stunning little blond. "I've heard so much about you. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Thank you. I'm pleased to meet you as well," said Gabrielle, hoping he would not suspect the wild thoughts she had been having.

Xena however noticed, seeing Gabrielle's pink cheeks and hearing the trembling in her voice. No doubt Gabrielle was envisioning her brother naked, trying to help them make the baby Gabrielle had been wanting. Despite her usual jealous nature, Xena was rather amused. After all, it had been she that had placed those outrageous visions into Gabrielle's head.

"Where is your bride? Mother told us you were recently wed," Xena then said. "Sorry I wasn't here for the wedding. I truly wish I had been here."

"She's not feeling well. It's one of those female things," said Torris, knowing the ladies would understand his wife's monthly plight. "And yes, we would have loved to have you present on our special day. Are you here to stay?"

"No, our next stop is Potedia to pay a visit to Gabrielle's parents. You see, I too have found my special someone..." spoke Xena. "And I came here to seek Mother's blessing upon our union..."

"Spendid!" exclaimed Torris, looking around the room, seeking Xena's mate. He wondered what guy had finally tamed his wayward little sister. She was a wild one, that was for sure. He had to be a demi-God or something extraordinary, to keep Xena in line.

"Torris, who are you looking for?" asked Xena knowingly.

"Him... your man... where is he?"

"I don't have a man."

"But you just said-." Suddenly Torris went silent. His eyes shifted to Gabrielle. "You don't mean-?" he gasped out, seeing an answer in those green depths which spoke volumes.

"Yes, Torris. My love is Gabrielle. She is my heart, my very existence. Mother has given her blessing upon our union. I hope that you too will grant your good wishes so that we may join."

Torris nodded, in shock, but recovering much more quickly than his mother had. "You have my blessing as well," he spoke, hugging his sister tightly, then doing the same to Gabrielle. "Anyone who tames the wild heart of my little sister I do greatly admire."

"Stop right there. Do not tell my beloved of my wild youth and all those hearts I broke," Xena warned quickly, giving her brother a warning look.

Torris chuckled, as did everyone else as well. When taming Xena's heart, Gabrielle had been the greatest conqueror of all. No one else had entered as deep, nor had walked within the dark walls to soothe the tortured memories hidden within. Gabrielle alone had tamed Xena's demons, one by one, healing Xena's soul.

"Thank you, Mother, and Torris. I need to be alone with Gabrielle now. We must talk. Good night," Xena said quickly, giving her mother a tender kiss and hugging her brother once again. Before Gabrielle could protest, Xena whisked her away to the bedroom which had once been her own.

"Everything went well," Xena said happily once she and Gabrielle were alone. "I am so happy!" She hugged Gabrielle, kissed her with love and tenderness, then did a little dance, singing merrily. But suddenly her smile faded, seeing Gabrielle's gloomy expression.

"What's wrong?" Xena said, lightly cupping Gabrielle's cheek.

"I just have a bad feeling. It won't go like this in Potedia. I just know."

"My mother and Torris have accepted. Surely your parents will understand, and-."

"No, Xena. My father is a very strict and stern man. He never understood me. Not ever. He will be angry, I know it."

"Then let him be angry then, let him yell. It still doesn't change your feelings, it still doesn't change MINE..."

"I need their blessing, Xena..."

"And what if you don't get it? Will you leave me? Will it be over between us? Will our love survive?"

Gabrielle looked horror-stricken at Xena's words. "There is nothing that could destroy our love, Xena. You have to believe that," Gabrielle spoke. "I will never be the person my parents wanted me to be. I have always known that since I was very small. I especially knew that the day I ran off with you. They always wanted me to marry a farmer, have lots of babies, take care of pigs, cows, and chickens, remaining constantly barefoot and pregnant. That's never what I wanted. They kept pushing me to marry Perdicus every since I could remember, so I would lead the life they wanted for me. That was never the life I wanted for myself... just the dream of a life THEY wanted for me. My life is with you, having wild adventures, seeing the world, exploring and learning. My life is being a bard, telling of all the things we've seen, writing of the adventures we have as we fight for the greater good. That's who I am. I belong with you, Xena. YOU."

"At first when you ran away with me, I didn't want to believe that... that you belonged with me. I got used to your incessant talking, got used to having you at my side. Now I know without a doubt that it is true. You belong with me, Gabrielle. You are more than my best friend, you are my everything... you are my family, Gabrielle. My love, my soulmate. I need you by my side."

Tears fell, and the two held each other close. The days passed, and soon their happy visit in Anphipolis came to it's end. A deep sadness pervaded Gabrielle at the close of the visit. Now it was on to Potedia, and the meeting of her parents. She had sent them word just before she and Perdicus had wed. How they would grieve when they learned of his murder, if word had not already reached them. She feared they would never understand her love for Xena... and this might be the last meeting she might ever have with them. When they discovered that their eldest daughter had fallen in love with another woman, a warrior, she may be disowned. It pained her that her parents might be so closed-minded, they might not even see the depth of her love for Xena... how much the two meant to one another. Nightmares returned to Gabrielle twofold, and Xena worried. Dark circles appeared beneath Gabrielle's eyes. How they both hated those dreams... and Xena wished she had the power to calm whatever fears plagued the heart of the woman she loved.

The farm where Gabrielle grew up had changed very little. It had two small bedrooms, a kitchen area/parlor, and a pantry. It was quite old, for it had been the homestead of Gabrielle's grandfather. Every worn piece of wood which had built the small home had been carefully placed with love.

Lilla greeted her sister and Xena upon their arrival at the front door. "Gabby!" she cried out, pulling her sister into a tight hug. Gabrielle could scarcely breathe as young Lilla, just two years younger than herself wrapped her in a bear-hug.

"Gabrielle?" Hecuba gasped, leaving the pot she had been stirring over the fireplace to stare into the lovely green eyes of her firstborn daughter. Her baby had come home! She started to cry as tears of happiness came from her eyes.

"I missed you both so much," Gabrielle said with a sob, hugging first Lilla, then her mother. Hecuba kissed and fussed over her baby, lovingly looking her precious daughter up and down.

She then turned to Xena. "Thank you for bringing her back to us, Warrior Woman," she said. "I will forgive you for taking her from us... just let her stay here, where she belongs."

"Mother, don't," Gabrielle said, distress in her voice at her mother's words. "I'm just here for a visit. With Xena, that's where I truly belong."

"Gabrielle, we heard what happened to Perdicus. So sad and distressed you must be. You need your parents... your family, so you can heal."

"Mother, Xena is my family-."

"Your father and I know what is best for you, Gabrielle. You need a husband, children... a decent life. You can't waste your life running around with a warrior woman... your heart would break if you heard the unspeakable rumors which we have heard about you..."

"I don't care about rumors. People can say whatever they will say. It matters not to me. And Mother, I do have a decent life. Xena and I have helped many, saved so many lives. We fight for the greater good, and I have learned so much from Xena. I'm a stronger person. I don't need a husband... I only want to be with Xena... can't you see that?"

"Could I go with you, Gabrielle?" Lilla suddenly spoke up with excitement. "I want to see the world. Could I be a warrior too... and fight for the greater good?"

"Lilla, you're still really young..."

"I'm the same age you were when you took off with Xena," Lilla reminded. "Please let me go..."

"No one is going anywhere," Hecuba spoke firmly, glaring at her daughters. "Your father will be here in a moment. Maybe he can talk some sense into you, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle looked at her mother, arms crossed and green eyes dark with determination. "He can talk all he wants. I'm not staying... and I'm definitely not getting a husband. Wherever Xena goes, I go too."

"Xena may stay if you wish... but she's sleeping in the barn," Hecuba insisted quite ungraciously.

"In that case, I am sleeping in the barn as well," Gabrielle spoke stubbornly.

"Mother, may I sleep in the barn, too?" Lilla begged.

"I've heard quite enough out of you, young lady," Hecuba said to Lilla. "Go to your room."

"Yes, Mother," Lilla replied, reluctantly going off to her bedroom.

Less than an hour after Xena and Gabrielle's arrival, Herdocus returned from the fields. It had been a long day, and his dark hair was plastered to his head with grime and sweat. He walked into his modest home, finding that it had been invaded by the warrior woman who had made off with his eldest daughter not quite three years ago. "Daughter, thank the Gods you finally had the sense to come home," he said to Gabrielle, placing his perspiration soaked cap on a wooden peg near the door and walking over to the shapely feminine form of his eldest daughter.

"Father," Gabrielle said in acknowledgement. "Xena and I have come to pay you and mother a visit."

"You are not welcome in my home, warrior woman," Herdocus said to Xena, looking at her with vivid distaste. "You stole our daughter away from us in the night, and you have ruined her reputation. When she finally began to make a decent woman of herself by marrying Perdocus, a man her mother and I both approved of, she became a widow all too soon because an enemy of yours ripped away his life. I think you have done enough damage to our daughter. Be gone with you," Gabrielle's father all but spat.

"Father, do not speak that way to Xena!" Gabrielle cried out. "She's my best friend. I owe so much to her. If she isn't welcome here, then neither am I!"

Grasping Xena's hand, Gabrielle made a move to leave, but her father grabbed her, his hands brutal as he pushed her up to the wall, holding her steady so he could glare into her face as he spoke. "Do not make the mistake of walking out that door again, daughter! If you leave the family now, you will no longer be welcome within these walls again. If you go now, you go forever!"

"I'd rather spend forever out there away from you... than spend another moment here, in this house, surrounded by your hatred," Gabrielle said in an icy voice as she tried to twist away from her father's grip.

"Get your hands off, Gabrielle!" Xena said in a steely voice, taking slow deliberate steps toward where Herdocus held her beloved against the wall. The man was dangerously close to feeling Xena's unquenchable anger. Xena did not want to strike Gabrielle's father, but if necessary she would do whatever it took to protect the one she loved.

"She's my daughter!" Herdocus screamed, scowling at Xena.

"Yes, but she is not a possession. She's a person, with wants, and needs, and feelings. You never understood her... never listened to her. Maybe if you had, you would know who she really is... "

"Herdocus, let go of her at once!" Hecuba finally spoke up, as she spoke out to her husband although she rarely did. Instantly, Herdocus set Gabrielle free, and she immediately went to Xena, gliding into her arms for comfort.

"What have you done to my daughter, warrior woman?" Herdocus demanded, seeing the way his daughter clung to the dark woman who was called Warrior Princess as though the two were lovers.

"I helped her discover her heart," Xena said simply.

"And what is it you have discovered, Gabrielle?" Herdocus asked quietly.

"I love Xena. And I wish to join with her," Gabrielle said, just as Lilla entered the room to hear the statement. She had heard the commotion, and had left the bedroom to see what her father had been yelling about. Now she stood there in shock, hearing her sister's confession.

"Such a union is unnatural. I cannot allow it," Herdocus bellowed, his pale face turning red as he shook a fist at Xena and Gabrielle where they stood holding each other beside to the fire.

Hecuba didn't know what to say. She stood there, trembling and crying, disbelief choking away her words. She had heard whispers, but never believed that something like this could actually happen here... in her family. Now it all made more sense... why her daughter had ran away, why they had not heard from her, why Gabrielle insisted she must remain by the warrior's side.

"The way you treat your child is what is unnatural," Xena spoke up. "We came for your blessing, but whether we get it or not, we will still be together. We are in love. Nothing you do or say will change that fact. So you either wish us well, or we will leave this place and not come back... you will not be bothered by us ever again."

"If my daughter joins with you, I disown her," Herdocus growled. "Never will I speak her name again. She will be dead to me."

"So be it then," Gabrielle said numbly. She walked blindly from the room and out into the dying sunshine. She made her way over toward the barn, where she leaned against a fence post, tears sparkling in her eyes. Slowly they fell, till they came in torrents, flooding her eyes and cascading down her cheeks. She had been almost certain her parents would react so harshly, but it hurt all the same. What she wouldn't give for a blessing like Cyrene's... but her parents had never been like Xena's mother. Never affectionate... never anything but harsh, distant, and cold.

Xena stood there in disgust, looking at the man who had sired the woman she loved. "You sicken me, old man. You know nothing of love and honor. You give up your daughter, all in the name of pride. You don't deserve her. I am her family now. I will love her and protect her... give her everything you have not. She's better off without you; I don't know why we even came here. The love and honor she has for you, you don't even deserve." With those words, Xena walked out, slamming the door behind her.

Xena went immediately to Gabrielle, enfolding her in her arms as she cried. "I'm so sorry, little one. We can leave this place at once," Xena crooned as she caressed Gabrielle's hair.

"It's okay, Xena. I will be fine. I was hoping beyond hope that Father would understand... that he would bless our union," Gabrielle choked out.

"Father is a dumb-ass," Lilla's voice spoke up, as she approached her sister and Xena. "I'm sorry he is such a hard-headed pig," said Lilla as she reached out to Gabrielle, taking her hand in hers.

"I love you, Gabby... no matter what Father does or says. Mama loves you, too... she just doesn't know how to show it. She does everything Father tells her to do, even when she thinks Father is wrong. She doesn't know how to act upon her own free-will. She will come to accept you and what you share with Xena. I know it... just give it some time. Till then, you have me. I love you, Gabrielle..." spoke Lilla tearfully.

"I love you, too, Sis... so much," said Gabrielle, hugging her little sister tightly. "Are you okay here? Does Father hit you, like he used to hit me?"

"No, he yells a lot... but Mama won't let him hit me. Not after all the bad things he did to you..." Lilla said, embracing her sister tightly. Xena listened on, her fists clenched as she heard of the abuse inflicted onto Gabrielle by her own father. What she wouldn't give to teach the old man a lesson, but she couldn't upset Gabrielle by doing such a thing. It was best to get away from this place and fast, before she did something she would end up regretting.

"I'm glad you are safe, Lilla. I will come back, I promise," spoke Gabrielle. "Take care of Mama for me, okay?"

"I will," said Lilla, kissing her sister's cheek.

Gabrielle looked at Xena, knowing it was time to go, but she was heartbroken. Things hadn't turned out as she wished they had. She felt emotionally drained. Argo stood there in the barnyard, grazing with the farm animals. "We gotta go, Gabrielle," Xena said, seeing the torn expression on Gabrielle's sorrowed face.

"I know, Xena... but I don't want to leave my sister," Gabrielle explained as they walked away together toward Argo. They had to make haste as nightfall was coming fast.

"Your mother will look after her. And we will come back. There is something I must do before we return to the Amazons, something of great importance."

"What is it?" asked Gabrielle as Xena swung herself up onto Argo's wide back then pulled her astride.

"Not to worry," Xena said as they began riding away from Gabrielle's family farm. Gabrielle looked back longingly as the tears began to fall anew, seeing Lilla wave good-bye. Her heart was breaking, snapping in two. Part of it would always be here, with Lilla, in Potedia, the village of her birth. The most vital part would be with Xena, wherever she may go. No matter where, the part of her that loved most deeply, the part that breathed, would be at Xena's side.

Many days had passed since their visit to Potedia. The nights were long, permeated by Gabrielle's screams. The nightmares were now more intrusive and vivid. Gabrielle would now jump at Xena's slightest touch, always on guard, feeling trapped and afraid. Xena was deeply frustrated by Gabrielle's constant nightmares. They were driving a wedge between them, making it impossible for them to get as much as a descent's nights sleep.

One cloudy day they arrived outside the temple of Dahak, and Xena knew she must continue the remainder of the journey alone. Gabrielle was in dire need of a long rest, and Xena could no longer stand the haunted look in her forest-green eyes. Just outside the great temple, Xena jumped down off Argo, going to Gabrielle's side.

Gabrielle had been in a trance most of the day. Her eyes were sunk into her head, her pink lips and green eyes the only color upon her face. "Gabrielle, you stay here... find a place to rest. I will be back in a couple of days," Xena commanded, pulling Gabrielle close for a quick hug. Her lips then pressed to Gabrielle's in a tender kiss that spoke of love and promise.

"No, Xena... you can't go. Please... don't leave me here," Gabrielle said in a small, sad voice.

"Believe me, Gabrielle, this mission I go in is very dangerous. You haven't gotten sleep in... well, days... and I just can't take you with me..." Xena said firmly, reaching for Gabrielle's saddlebag and removing it from Argo. She handed the leather satchel to Gabrielle who took it reluctantly.

"Xena, if you leave me here, you are going to regret it. Something's going to happen... something terrible. Let me go with you... please..."

Xena jumped astride Argo, looking down at the woman she loved, the woman she barely knew as fatigue had changed her. "Gabrielle, get some sleep," Xena said before riding away. She then rode off into the sunset, leaving Gabrielle there by the temple to watch as she rode away.

"I can't go to sleep... cause then he would get me," said Gabrielle as she turned and looked at the temple. Something deep inside was calling her to go inside.

"What is this place?" she silently asked herself. "Is it a place I know from my dreams?

As if an unseen force were tugging at her, Gabrielle walked unsteadily toward the doors of the temple. Quietly, she went inside. A terrible scene of horror played out in front of her as she entered, stopping her dead in her tracks. Someone was about to be sacrificed to the great demon Dahak. Someone would die... in hopes that the demon might live. Gabrielle, with her kind and loving heart, could not stand by and watch an innocent man so cruelly die. She stepped up to the altar where the trembling bearded man was about to be killed by a blade. She looked at the welder of the blade as the woman named Meridian was about to plunge it into the flesh of the man who lay tied to the slab of stone which was the altar of Dahak. A small crowd surrounded the near-naked man as Dahak's followers chanted in their ritualistic sacrificial ceremony honoring the great demon, the mighty Dahak.

Gabrielle couldn't believe the horror she was witnessing. How could all these people stand by and just let this poor innocent man be slaughtered? With no thought of her own safety, she rushed to the altar, attempting to wrestle the sacrificial blade from the beautiful woman named Meridian. A struggle ensued, and the woman Meridian seemed to smile at Gabrielle wickedly as Gabrielle got the upper hand, taking control of the blade, and plunging it deep into Meridian's chest. All the followers who watched on cheered, and the man laying on the altar laughed wickedly as Meridian's warm dark-red blood flowed from her body and onto his chest. Merdian reached out, caressing Gabrielle's face as her life's blood flowed from her and she slowly weakened, falling against Gabrielle, dead. Gabrielle sobbed, pushing the woman's body from her, her hands and dress soaked in the woman's blood. All the followers were laughing, smiling, reaching out to Gabrielle, and tearing at her dress. Gabrielle cried. This couldn't be happening. She had just killed someone. She had her blood all over her hands. She had just taken a life... her blood innocence was gone... and she would never be the same, just as Xena had said.

"What's happening?" Gabrielle cried out in horror as the knife was then used to cut the man free from where he had been imprisoned on the altar, and after setting him free, Gabrielle was then laid upon the altar which was soaked with Meridian's blood. "XENA, help me!"

Gabrielle realized then, her nightmare was coming true. All the visions, the horrible night terrors were a frightening reality... this time they were unmistakably real... but she was all alone... and Xena wasn't here to save her. Dahak's followers were chanting then, calling forth Dahak from the flames of Hell, for they had needed the blood innocence of someone pure in heart to spill blood upon the altar this day, and as prophesied, the innocent one had came, spilling the necessary blood. Now the Evil One would rise. He would come. He needed a body in which his evil could reside and then he could wreck havoc upon the earth. Gabrielle would be the vessel. She was full of goodness, innocence and light- the perfect cover to carry one so wicked.

Screams rose up in Gabrielle's throat and spilled from her lips as the ones who chanted for Dahak ripped her dress and tore at her underclothing. The temple became dark, only a few candles remained lit as the chanting reached a loud crescendo, then a chill came to the room. The chill of death and all things evil. Gabrielle felt icy fingers play over her exposed body. She shivered and in the darkness she saw them... two red glowing eyes, hypmotizing. Suddenly the breath was tore from her lungs as something heavy fell over her, paralyzing her. She couldn't move and she couldn't scream. Something tore at her between her legs. Seeking, ripping. Violating her flesh. Bile rose in her throat. Her body tried to repel the painful invasion. She was unsuccessful. After it was over, she lay there, bruised, broken, and bleeding. The only sounds were her ragged sobs. She could not move and hadn't even the strength to cover herself. Eventually all the chanters disappeared, and she lay there in the cold, shivering.

"Xena, where are you? Why did you leave me? I need you," Gabrielle cried out, her entire being longing for the only thing of comfort that might save her in this terrible place she now lay. She was close to death, praying to the Gods to take her after this unspeakable act of violence that had been thrust upon her.

"Come back soon, Xena. I don't know how much longer I can last."

Xena had a mission to defeat Caesar. In doing so, she could prevent her own death, as well as Gabrielle's. Those visions Alti had given her continued to plague her. She would do anything in her power to protect Gabrielle, to keep her from death, and defeating Caesar was the only way. Xena had hated leaving Gabrielle behind, especially after having promised not to. But she did what she had to do in order to protect the woman she loved. Xena did not know that Gabrielle was in far more danger while they were apart, than what she would be in at her side, fighting Caesar. Caesar once again got away, and Xena was left tasting bitter defeat, having succeeded only marginally by destroying a portion of Caesar's army. As she rode away back toward the place she had left Gabrielle, Dahak's temple, Xena caught a glimpse of mountains in the distance. These were the mountains in her vision... of the time and place where she and Gabrielle would meet their death at Caesar's hands. Could Xena stop destiny? She would die trying if she must. She would do anything, ANYTHING necessary to protect Gabrielle, the woman she loved.

As she rode up to the temple upon Argo, something was unsettling. The hair stood up on the back of Xena's neck. The sky was a mass of dark clouds and a storm was brewing. There was an unnatural stillness and chill within the air. Xena didn't like this. Something was wrong. Where was Gabrielle?

"Gabrielle, where are you?" Xena called out, throwing open the huge heavy doors of the temple. Those doors creaked loudly as Xena entered the temple. Here the air was dark, damp, and musty. Xena shivered. It was cold as death in here.

"Gabrielle?" Xena yelled. She could see nothing. It was almost pitch-black in the temple as most of the candles had melted down to mere stumps. She could feel Gabrielle's presence. She could not see her, but she could hear her. There was soft sobbing near the altar and it lead Xena there.

There, crumpled upon the floor was Gabrielle, and she seemed to be covered with blood. "Xena... ohhhh Xena... I killed someone," Gabrielle sobbed, reaching out for her love.

"I'm here," Xena said, wisking Gabrielle into her arms. She Held onto the small woman tightly as Gabrielle sobbed.

Tenderly, Xena stroked her hair. "What happened?" she whispered.

"There was a man, they were going to kill him. I struggled with a woman, her name was Meridian, for the knife. Somehow I got it from her, and I killed her. Her blood was all over me," Gabrielle explained in between choking sobs. "Then something happened. They called forth some sort of demon. I was lying on the altar... I could not move and he... he-."

"He what, Gabrielle? Tell me, what did he do?" Xena demanded, looking down at Gabrielle's face in alarm. Deep inside, she already knew the answer... and Gabrielle's eyes said it all. She had been raped. Violated. By Dahak... a demon.

"He lay upon me..." Gabrielle said in a tiny voice. "He hurt me, Xena. So much."

"By the Gods, we gotta get you out of here," Xena said, standing and lifting Gabrielle easily into her arms. All she could think about was getting her love to safely, leaving this place, putting this all behind them. But a chill slid thru the air, and a scent met Xena's nostrils. Something was burning.

"Why did you leave me, Xena? Why? Why?" came Gabrielle's anguished sobs. Xena tried to make a run for the doors, but she couldn't make it to the altar. The frigid arms of the chill reached out, seeking Gabrielle. In a moment, she was wrenched from Xena's arms.

Gabrielle!" Xena cried out, as her love was torn from her embrace.

"Help me, Xena! Please!" Gabrielle screamed as the chilled arms carried her toward the flames and the dark fires of Hell where her rapist was writhing.

Xena fought the cold wind, trying to get to Gabrielle. Every two steps forward sent her one step back. Finally she grasped Gabrielle's hands in her own, pulling her. But she was in a tug of war with a demon, as the evil thing sought to pull Gabrielle into the flames. To make her one with him... for all eternity.

"You can't have her, Dahak. She's mine. I love her... and she hasn't an evil bone in her body! You can't fight me, and you know it. Let her go," Xena screamed out, not afraid of a demon. She would face hell itself rather than let her love perish.

A terrible scream could be heard, then suddenly the wicked wind ceased to moan. Gabrielle fell to the cold hard ground as the flames were slowly diminished. All was quiet, and the terrible frigid wind had suddenly disappeared. "Gabrielle, Baby, are you alright?" Xena crooned, pulling her into her embrace.

"Get me out of here, Xena," Gabrielle said weakly. "Now."

"It's going to be okay. I promise," Xena said as she carried Gabrielle from the temple and the blood-soaked altar.

"No, Xena you were right. Your first kill changes everything," Gabrielle said in a whisper before fainting in her lover's arms.

Xena carried Gabrielle as far as she could from the temple of Dahak, toward the woods. Suddenly the harsh rain began to fall and the trees whipped with the fury of the wind. It was as if the earth had began to tremble and rip apart. Xena knew she had to get Gabrielle to safety, but they had no where to go. Finally she had found a shelter made by many fallen trees. She carried Gabrielle there and lay her on a dry surface of ground upon some fallen leaves. Argo came close, and Xena was able to secure their saddlebags. Then Argo disappeared, disturbed by the tremendous storm. Thunder clapped and the earth shook. Lightening struck nearby trees, making them fall. But they were safe in their make- shift shelter, and Xena made a small fire. She boiled water so she might tend Gabrielle's wounds. She was relieved to find that a great deal of the blood covering Gabrielle was not her own. The only place she appeared to be injured was her most feminine place which had been unmistakably ravished. Gently Xena cleansed her beloved and placed folded cloths between her thighs to control the bleeding. Gabrielle would be sore and bruised for several days, but there was no permanent damage. As Xena assessed Gabrielle's abused flesh, she blamed herself. If only she had been there, then her love may not have been raped. She harshly blamed herself, feeling at fault for having left Gabrielle behind in the first place, especially after having promised never to leave the one she loved alone again.

Hours passed, night came, and in the morning, the sun rose. The storm was gone, but the world seemed to have been ripped apart by it's force. Around them, there was a cluster of many fallen trees, limbs having been ripped away cruelly by harsh, brutal winds. Gabrielle awoke, held close in the safety of Xena's arms. She startled, then began to softly sob.

"It's true... it all really happened," she cried as reality came, cruel and ugly, making her cringe.

"It's okay, Gabrielle. You're safe now. You're in my arms... you are safe," Xena whispered, lightly kissing Gabrielle's lips, attempting to soothe her.

"Hold me, Xena. Hold me so tight," Gabrielle begged softly, wrapping her arms around her warrior and holding onto her with her dear life.

"I'll never let you go, little one, not ever," said Xena, as she held the bard close, lovingly stroking her up and down her back.

"Take me away from here, Xena. I never want to see this place again. I want to be far, far from here. I keep seeing her face... as she was dying. Her blood was all over me. It stained my hands. I keep seeing her..."

"I know, Baby... I never wanted that for you. If I could give anything to take it all back, I would."

"They wanted me to kill her... for him. So he would come. They wanted me to do it, so he could have his way with me," Gabrielle said in a choking sob. "He hurt me, Xena."

"I won't let him hurt you again, Gabrielle. I swear it," Xena said, clenching her teeth. "As soon as I find Argo, we travel. Wherever you want to go... we will head that way."

"Doesn't matter where we go... I just want to get out of here... please, take me far away from this place. Make me forget... I don't want to remember."

Xena nodded, wishing it could be that easy to stop those memories. Gabrielle had been thru Hell. Xena's heart bled for her. First her parents had rejected her, then she had been forced to lose her blood innocence and kill Meridian, and to top it off, a demon had sexually assaulted her. Xena was sickened by all Gabrielle had been thru.

"There is a cabin about a four day's ride from here. We could go there... for awhile. You could rest and get better. You're going to be okay."

Not long after the storm had passed, Argo appeared. Xena and Gabrielle began their journey. Gabrielle was unusually quiet, sleeping in Xena's arms as they rode. When night fell, Xena made camp, placing Gabrielle down upon the bedrolls so she could sleep. She then lay next to her little love, pressing herself to Gabrielle's side. "I love you," she whispered into the darkness, hoping somehow her words would reach Gabrielle.

Gabrielle awoke the next morning screaming. Xena instantly awakened, sitting up in alarm. "I got you... I got you," she said as she enfolded Gabrielle into her arms. "You are safe."

Gabrielle embraced Xena tightly, resting her cheek on the Warrior Princess's shoulder. Her body was sore and she could feel the distinct soreness between her legs, reminding her of the rape. A demon had brutally violated her, taking something from her she had only before given to Xena out of love. She hated herself for being unable to stop him.

"Shhhhh..." Xena crooned, stroking Gabrielle's hair as she cried. "You're going to be alright. Everything will be alright, Gabrielle... I promise."

Another day passed, and Gabrielle was horribly sick. She was throwing up constantly, unable to keep anything down. Every time she thought of Dahak, the temple, Meridian, or anything relating to the experience, she would run off to the bushes, expelling whatever may be in her stomach. Xena was worried; Gabrielle was growing progressively weaker.

Xena made some tea, with herbs and honey, coaxing Gabrielle to drink. "It will stop your nausea. Drink," she insisted.

Gabrielle wrinkled her nose, but gingerly took a sip. The tea was delicious, and the first thing Gabrielle had kept down since the day of her rape. She drank every last drop of the tea, then smiled at Xena. "You should have been a healer," she said.

"I have many skills," said Xena with a little grin.

Another day passed, and Gabrielle was feeling better. She was healing nicely from the rape and the nausea had blessedly passed. Now she was ravenous. Xena watched as she devoured their morning meal as though she was half-starved.

"I'm glad to see you've gotten your appetite back," Xena said.

"Me too," Gabrielle replied. "How much longer till we get to the cabin?"

"A couple of days, I suppose."

"Can we stay there for awhile... so we can just rest... and cuddle?"

"Sure, we can stay as long as you like," Xena promised, knowing that what Gabrielle needed most was rest and relaxation, so she could properly heal in mind, body and spirit.

"I can't wait, Xena..." Gabrielle said, laying down so that her head rested in her love's lap. Tenderly Xena began caressing Gabrielle's hair, loving how the tendrils twisted around her fingers, as though they had a mind of their own.

"I'm sorry about everything that's happened, Gabrielle. Truly I am," Xena spoke.

"Don't be sorry. It wasn't your fault."

"I wish I could have protected you..."

"You can't stop destiny, Xena. Not even you can do that." Xena just nodded. Stopping destiny had been what she had been trying to do in the first place. Maybe it was time to cease trying to stop the inevitable. Whatever would be, would be. Maybe it was time to accept that.

"Maybe you are right, Gabrielle," Xena spoke softly, bending down to tenderly kiss the bard's cheek. Gabrielle just softly sighed, feeling comforted in Xena's embrace.