Disclaimer & Notices: Please see Chapter 1.

Started: January 27, 2009

Series 3: Putting the Puzzle Together – Story #27

AN: I didn't realize exactly how long it has been since an update. It was nearly this time but two years ago. Eek! I will be trying to get this updated a wee bit more frequently than the "new every two" plan. :) My apologies and hopefully there's still some loyal readers on it. The next chapter should be more interesting than this one probably is. Enjoy!

The Warrior Gargoyle

by Red Hope

Chapter 10

Gabrielle slowly started stretching under the warm sheets. Against her back she sensed her best friend's firm body. She gave a small yawn then turned onto her back. She half expected Xena awake, but she suspected that Xena was worn out from the traveling and transformations.

"Go back to sleep, Gabrielle," the warrior's voice rumbled. She cracked her blurry eyes open and focused on the bard.

Gabrielle grinned some and touched Xena's opposite cheek. "I never thought I'd hear you say that." She enjoyed the warrior's grin and low chuckle.

"I never thought I'd turn into a gargoyle," Xena muttered. She shifted onto her side and rested her head on the bard's shoulder.

"Stranger things have happened," the bard taunted.

Xena huffed and argued, "Like what?"

"I heard Aphrodite can turn into a man," Gabrielle joked.

Xena chuckled and closed her eyes. "You should hope she didn't hear you."

"Aaah," Gabrielle brushed off. She shut her eyes too and leaned her forehead against Xena's. She could sense her dreamscape coming for her again. "Xena…"

The warrior pulled away from her own sleep and muttered, "Mmmm?"

Gabrielle withdrew from her dreams for a heartbeat. "I love you… with or without wings," she tiredly murmured. She sighed and slipped back into her sleep.

"I love you too," the warrior softly replied. She too drifted back to sleep. Despite her dreams had been relatively peaceful earlier, she now had darker ones that involved her transformation and Dahak. She welcomed her gargoyle-self in the dream when Dahak came for her and Gabrielle. It was the gargoyle's superior strength, courage, and stronger health that made her feel in control of the fight against Dahak. Last time, Xena wasn't able to stop Dahak from taking Gabrielle. But as a gargoyle, she saw everything so clearly, especially Dahak's weaknesses. She wouldn't allow events to repeat again.

Gabrielle woke up before her partner. She detected her friend's turmoil from the bad dreams. She had her back to Xena but rolled over and found Xena on her back. Gabrielle noted the sweat on Xena's brow and how Xena dug her nails into the bedsheets. Carefully, the bard touched her friend's tense shoulder and called, "Xena."

The warrior sharply woke up with her eyes flying open. All her instincts were alive, and her body wired from the battle in her dream.

Gabrielle rocked back upon seeing Xena's eyes lit up as if she were still a gargoyle. She hesitantly withdrew her hand for a beat then brought it back to her friend's taut shoulder. "Hey…" She found now calmer blue eyes on her. "Relax… we're safe."

Xena released the bedsheet and slumped into the soft bed. "Gods," she muttered and rubbed her damp brow. "Sorry."

The bard remained propped up and staring down at the warrior. "Bad dream huh?"

Xena removed her hand from her face and gave a low sigh. "Very real dream," she murmured. She pushed the cover off her hot body. The cool air soothed away the last of her tension. She caught the bard's concern, and she knew the unspoken question in Gabrielle's eyes. "Dahak," she whispered.

Gabrielle shook her head. "He can't reach us here, Xena." She massaged her friend's knotted shoulder. "His temple is gone."

The warrior gently cleared her throat then sat up. "That didn't stop Hope… or the Destroyer." She worked her fingers through her bangs. "He's not gone… not dead." Her eyes trailed over to Gabrielle. After a tense beat, she finally confessed, "I'm not comfortable with you going to Britannia."

Gabrielle sighed as she mentally prepared for a verbal battle. "And you can forget going alone."

Xena shook her head then rolled out of bed.

"Are we really going to do this?" Gabrielle prompted after the warrior got out of bed. She pushed the cover off her body. "I'm not a kid anymore, Xena."

The warrior sharply turned and pointed at the bard. "It's not about that." She lowered her hand but her stern face wasn't gone. "You stopped being a child when you left your village," she sadly whispered. She sometimes felt she robbed her best friend of her possible childhood in Potidaea, along with any hopes for a normal life.

Gabrielle slipped out of the bed and made her way to Xena. She knew the warrior was being protective, and it was heightened by the bad dream. "Listen, we always solve things quicker and better when we do it together." She gingerly touched her friend's bare arm. "I know this isn't the safest journey we've done, but I can handle myself." She wrapped her fingers around the warrior's bicep. "Even if by some wild chance Dahak is still active in Britannia then we'll just have to leave."

Xena stared at the messy bed but slowly she turned her features to her partner. "That's the problem." She shook her head once. "We won't just leave… we'll stay and fight."

Gabrielle lips twisted into a worried frown. "Where does it stop?" She bowed her head and touched her forehead. "One day the Greater Good is really going to kill us." She lowered her hand and looked back at Xena. "Or at least one of us."

Xena turned her head away. "We're on this path because of me." She sighed and walked over to the bed. She sat down on the side and stared down at her knees. "Because of my past." She gazed at her best friend, who remained at her side through the years. "You pay for my mistakes, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle approached her friend and knelt down beside her. "I've said it before… I'm here because I want to be." She shrugged and argued, "I accepted what may happen to me on this path." She placed her right hand over her heart. "I chose this path, Xena. I could have walked away at anytime." She lowered her hand to Xena's knee. "But you're my family… I won't leave your side."

The warrior put her right hand over top of Gabrielle's and gently squeezed it. She knew how much of a gift Gabrielle was in her life. She didn't want to risk losing Gabrielle, not after so many recent experiences. She slowly started shaking her head again and whispered, "It's not worth the risk." She squeezed her friend's hand a bit tighter. "Going to Britannia is not worth the risk to figure this out."

"Yes it is." Gabrielle tightened her grip on Xena's knee. "We need to resolve this… one way or another." She still read the hesitation in the warrior's body language. "If Dahak rears his ugly face then we need to leave." She caught Xena's doubtful look. "Greater Good be damned, Xena" she hotly shot off. "We've sacrificed enough to the Greater Good." Old memories from her first year with Xena drifted back to her. She could still recall Xena's exact words about the Greater Good when they were fighting Lord Talmadeus. "When will we make a decision for our good huh?"

The warrior focused on her friend after staring across the room. "It's not about us, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle was annoyed now and suddenly stood up. She took a few paces away then turned back to Xena. "One day we're going to give too much."

Xena let out a sigh then stood up after a heartbeat. She approached the bard and reminded, "The last time I made it about me, I slaughtered hundreds."

"That's a little dramatic," Gabrielle brushed off, "even for you." She took a deep breath and more reasonably tried, "Somebody else can handle Dahak." She grabbed Xena's wrists and held on tightly. "Just for once, I want us to do what's best for us." She studied her friend's conflicting features. "Why is that wrong?"

Xena glanced up at the ceiling once then softly replied, "I never thought you'd choose us before the rest of the world."

"Like I said, I'm not a kid." Gabrielle slid her hands down into her friend's palms. "We can't help anybody if we don't care for ourselves first."

The warrior licked her lips then bobbed her head a few times. "Alright," she whispered. She gave into Gabrielle's idea. "If Dahak is there then we'll assess it and go from there."

Gabrielle was agreeable to the idea and gave a single nod. "Acceptable," she murmured back. She squeezed the larger hands in hers. Then she started feeling guilty about the entire conversation. "I'm sorry… I…" She felt a bit disjointed now.

"It's alright," Xena murmured. She stepped into Gabrielle's space and freed her hands only to slip her arms around the bard.

Gabrielle sighed and rested her cheek against her friend's warm chest. "We nearly lost each other… I won't go there again."

"I know." Xena dipped her head and kissed Gabrielle's temple. "We won't go there again." She threaded her fingers into the bard's soft hair.

The bard released a content breath and closed her eyes. She then asked, "How bad was the dream?" She felt her friend's shrug so she checked, "Bad enough to be foretelling?"

Xena seriously considered it and decided not to feed any fears. "No." She ran her left hand up Gabrielle's back twice. "We should get moving."

"Mmmm." Gabrielle lifted her head and loosened her arms from around Xena's waist. "Should we stable Argo here?"

"I think so."

The bard shifted out of her partner's arms and scratched her nose. "She's not going to be happy with us." She started for the washroom.

Xena chuckled and went to the bed. "She'd be even unhappier if we made her go across the channel to Britannia." She made the bed while Gabrielle cleaned up.

"And you think I'm ecstatic about flying across the channel?" the bard called from the washroom.

The warrior couldn't help her mischievous grin as she made her way around the bed. "You'll come to terms with it."

Gabrielle appeared in the doorway and inquired, "Come to terms with what?" She had a hand towel now.

"How much you love to fly," Xena smartly answered. She flashed her grin at the bard but finished making the bed.

Gabrielle huffed and went back into the washroom. "It's gliding, Xena… gliding." She caught the warrior's low laugh, which made her smile in return.

Gabrielle and Xena continued preparing for the journey north to Britannia. They decided only on two filled packs, which they could refill as they needed supplies. Xena concluded it would be easy finding villages and towns because they were lit up so brightly at night from up in the air. She made sure that Gabrielle took her brown and white duster because once the sun set it would be extremely chilly higher up.

After packing their things, they took their extra belongings over to Yakut. They were grateful for Yakut's support and concerns. After a short visit with Yakut, they went to breakfast at the dining yurt. It was a quick breakfast because Xena was itching to go. But Gabrielle made her partner seek out Otere and thank the queen for the hospitality. Otere was more than pleased and happily escorted the two out of the territory. She and a few other Amazons bid them farewell and would be waiting for their return.

Xena felt some tension recede once they were on the north road. She glanced over at the bard, who strolled along side with her staff in her left hand. Xena unknowingly started smiling at the bard.

Gabrielle met her friend's stare and caught the cute smile. "What?"

Xena shrugged, which caused her pack to shift. "I saw that earlier look you gave Deniz." She'd caught her partner shooting invisible daggers at Deniz's back despite Deniz, Otere, and Yakut had been kind enough to escort them out of the territory.

"I was very pleasant," Gabrielle refuted. She slotted her eyes at the warrior. "I didn't say a word about her crush on you."

Xena laughed and couldn't help prodding Gabrielle more. "She was pretty cute, Gabrielle." But Xena inwardly went giddy when the bard growled in response.

"You ever say that again about her, or another, then I'll have to kill them." Gabrielle pointed a finger at her friend. "I don't play nicely."

Again Xena couldn't help laughing at the bard's reaction.

Gabrielle knew that her friend was just baiting her, and she allowed it. "I think she stumbled on fourteen tree roots because she spent too much time looking over her shoulder at you."

Gradually Xena inclined her right eyebrow and teased, "You counted?"

"You didn't?" Gabrielle countered.

Xena chuckled and shrugged. "I stopped after you stumbled over more than your fair share our first moons together."

"Ha ha." Gabrielle clasped her pack's right strap. "I don't do that anymore." However, she seemed to curse herself that moment and an invisible stone caught her boot tip. She tripped over it but recovered before actually tumbling down.

Xena laughed a few times at her friend's luck. She grabbed the bard's nearest shoulder and jerked her into her body.

"That was a stone… it doesn't count." Gabrielle sighed and shifted her right arm across her friend's waist. "I was never a graceful child."

Xena smiled down at her partner. "We all can't be a Warrior Princess."

Gabrielle laughed this time and squeezed her friend's hip. "Just an Amazon Queen has to suffice." She traded a grin with the warrior.

Xena canted her head away from the bard. She then mentioned, "I'm thinking of a name… and a face."

Gabrielle felt a grin spread across her full lips at hearing the prompt to their beloved game. "Male or female?"

Xena puckered her lips then grinned at her best friend. "Female."

"Hmmmm." Gabrielle began her mental list thanks to the first detail. She started into the game as they continued down the quiet road.

After a full day's travel, Xena decided they needed to have dinner and started the search for a good location set away from the road. So far they hadn't come across too many travelers, which was promising in some ways. Xena liked it quiet.

"Let's go this way," Gabrielle suggested with a nod off her left shoulder. She started into the thin brush.

Xena half shrugged and strolled behind her friend into the beautiful landscape.

"I love Thrace's mountains and hills," the bard commented. She sensed the warrior at her side again. "It's so different than where we're from." She grabbed her pack's left strap and held onto it.

"Mmmmm." Xena softly smiled at the bard. "And here I thought you liked the seas."

"I like looking at them from land," Gabrielle joked back. She traded a knowing grin with Xena.

"How about from the air?" Xena taunted, but her eyes were still curious.

The bard crinkled up her nose and quietly answered, "Only if you're carrying me over it."

Xena chuckled and gave a faint nod. She then scanned about their surroundings after noticing they were approaching the upside of a hill.

"We should get a good view from here," the bard guessed. She started the hike up and wasn't disappointed at having a fantastic view of the Thracian lands. "Wow," she murmured and leaned her weight into her staff in her right hand.

Xena couldn't help but admire it. Nor could she ignore the low sun in the west. "I'll get the firewood." She shifted her gaze to her friend. "You get dinner ready."

"Naturally," the bard teased. Like Xena, she removed her pack then went about her chores.

Shortly a small fire was started on the hilltop next to the large, fallen olive tree. Xena had helped Gabrielle organize a few items for dinner but otherwise stayed away from messing anything up. She knew where her skills stopped with food. Over the years, she'd picked up a few things from Gabrielle, but she left it in Gabrielle's more qualified hands.

"You think we'll travel through the night?" the bard inquired.

Xena was seated on the olive tree's trunk. She'd unhooked her sword and was reaching for her chakram but paused and focused on the bard. "I think we will only travel for a candlemark or so." She placed her freed chakram on top of her sword. "I want to get more supplies in the morning before we go further north."

Gabrielle silently agreed because villages and towns became scarcer as they neared the Greek borders. She continued preparing the meal but paused once she realized sunset was only a moment away. She set the unsliced tomato down on Xena's plate and peered up at her best friend. "How's your headache been?"

"Better," Xena softly replied. She glanced at the sun, which only had another heartbeat before it was gone. She already sensed her stomach tightening up, and her skin was beginning to burn. She'd removed her duster and set it beside her weapons. She remained in her leathers, boots, and armor.

"That's good," Gabrielle whispered but more to herself than Xena. She brushed off her hands on her skirt then came over to her partner. She occupied the cool seat next to Xena and smiled up at Xena.

The warrior returned the smile until her eyes drifted over to the set sun. She instantly felt the transformation flare up from her stomach and spread out through her body. She lowered her head, but her arms on her knees supported her forward weight. She inhaled sharply then gradually released it once the transformation was complete.

Gabrielle gingerly touched her friend's black skin. "Not as painful?" She discovered fire blue eyes on her that quickly calmed down. She imagined it was from the transformation like prior times.

"No," Xena replied but her voice held a deeper timber.

Gabrielle was glad and gave a smile. "I'll finish up dinner." She patted her friend's leg then got up. She went back to her earlier spot and continued cutting up the tomatoes. "We're going to stay at inns mostly, right?"

"Yes… if you do not mind."

Gabrielle paused and peered up with hooded eyes. "I think I can survive." She traded a chuckle with Xena and went back to making dinner. "So… have you thought about what'll happen if we can't get this resolved?" She shrugged and added, "I mean, what if this is permanent… what then?"

Xena was studying her talons but lifted her eyes to her best friend. "We just carry on like normal."

"You say that now." The bard pointed her knife at the gargoyle. "But as soon as the morning comes, you'll be grousing about it again."

Xena let out a sigh because her friend was right.

Gabrielle shook her head and grabbed the block of cheese. "I mean… were there any indications that this has been going on in the past?" She stayed focused on her task of cutting up the cheese for their plates.

"I believe I would remember changing each night."

Gabrielle had popped a small piece of cheese into her mouth. She easily talked through the morsel. "You said you've had these headaches since you were a kid." She waved her filled hands around once while she spoke. "The headaches are linked to it." She popped another small piece into her mouth then sliced up the last hunk. "Did you blackout in the past?"

The gargoyle seriously considered the question and jogged her memory. "Yes."

The bard bit the inside of her mouth and cut the last piece into two smaller chunks. She dropped them between the plates then looked at Xena. "Often?" She shook her head and argued, "I've never seen you blackout."

"More times than I can count on my hands," Xena answered.

Gabrielle shook her head then picked up the plates and linen napkins. She came over and handed her friend the larger plate.

"I thought it was from too much pure wine or even the bloodlust after battle," the gargoyle murmured.

Gabrielle knew Xena was talking about her darker days when she was a warlord. "But nobody commented about any creature in the camp?"

"No." Xena started eating but continued talking too. "They were just as drunk… or preoccupied."

Gabrielle huffed at the warrior's hidden meaning. She thoughtfully ate her meal while she mulled it over several different ways. "If you were blacking out then that means you don't remember ever changing into a gargoyle."

"I woke up with a pounding headache," Xena replied, "even if I did not over indulge myself." She didn't like discussing her past exploits, but it was easier with Gabrielle because she didn't judge Xena for it. "I could not understand why I felt that way despite I drank little."

Gabrielle had a slight frown, but she continued eating while she thought about it more. "So maybe you were changing into a gargoyle before, but you don't remember because you blacked out each time."

"It is possible," Xena readily agreed.

"If that's the case," the bard started, "then why now are you aware of your transformation?" She picked out a cube of cheese and pointed it in Xena's direction. "There's a trigger."

The gargoyle thoroughly agreed with Gabrielle's idea then something hit her. "Dahak."

Gabrielle nearly choked on her cheese but managed it down. "Dahak?" she whispered and cleared her throat. "I thought you said…" She let it go and waited for Xena's response.

"I know but…" Xena set her bread down and focused on the bard. "Dahak did not create this, but he is probably the trigger."

"How do you figure?" Gabrielle was confused and tried putting ideas together.

Xena slowly started piecing together what she knew about her human past, recent events, and what defined a gargoyle. "Perhaps I was not aware of my transformation in the past because a gargoyle's values conflicted with my lifestyle as a warlord." She continued with her thoughts aloud. "Once I changed then maybe the transformation stopped."

"And how's Dahak the trigger?" the bard prompted. She wiped her hands on her cloth napkin then continued with the last bit of her meal.

The gargoyle was staring at the campfire as if Dahak's face was shaping in it. "I could not protect you from Dahak… from what he did to you." Her memories from the temple continued haunting her today. "For the first time, I was not fast enough, smart enough, or strong enough to protect you."

Gabrielle was done her dinner and set the plate off to the side on the ground. She carefully pondered Xena's explanation and looked up when she felt her friend's eyes on her. "Now you feel you need to be more so you can protect me?" she murmured. After Xena's nod, Gabrielle sighed and leaned against her friend's warm body. "That's why the human and gargoyle are aligning."

"I think so," Xena whispered after a quiet beat. She finished off her meal then set her plate aside too. She crossed her ankles and was able to lower her legs some.

"Okay," Gabrielle quietly started, "Maybe we have down the part on why it's happening." She shook her head and peered up at her friend. "But we still don't know how… or even when."

Xena hummed then looked at the bard. "That is why we have to go to Britanni."

Gabrielle grumbled some because she didn't want to travel that far, to that region of all places. But she wanted it resolved more than anything for Xena's sake. "I hope so." She stood and collected the plates.

Xena got up too but briefly stretched her wings before caping them around her body. She come up behind her friend and gently placed her hand on Gabrielle's lower back. "Thank you for dinner."

The bard had both plates in her right hand, but she smiled up at her friend. "You're welcome." She had a tender expression that made her seem younger.

The gargoyle softly hummed then bent over for a kiss that lasted longer than she intended at first. She withdrew then silently went off into the dark woods.

Gabrielle had an upturned grin but took care of getting things organized. She knew they'd leave shortly and cover a few more candlemarks tonight. After Gabrielle had their things put away, she and Xena shared a mug of cider that Gabrielle had warmed by the fire. Once they were done, Gabrielle worked on closing up the packs while Xena doused the fire.

The bard adjusted her duster after putting her leather pack on. She held out Xena's to her but asked, "What about your sword and chakram?"

The gargoyle silently held up her chakram in request to put it on Gabrielle's pack. She wasn't denied so she lashed down the weapon. She then tied her sword onto the outside of her own pack. Finally she managed the pack on after Gabrielle freed the straps and rehooked them since Xena's wings were initially in the way.

Gabrielle picked up her staff last then patted Xena's built stomach and teased, "Come on, Warrior Gargoyle." She started the journey back to the main road.

The gargoyle smirked at the new nickname. "That is how rumors begin." She took wide strides to catch up.

Gabrielle spun on her heels, walked backwards, and flashed a grin. "And what are you going to do if this…" She indicated Xena's current form. "This isn't a passing fancy?" She turned on her heels again once Xena was at her side. "It's not like we can just hide from the world at night."

Xena let out a heavy sigh that slightly rumbled too. "We cannot?"

The bard chuckled but gave a half shrug. "I suppose I can just handle our missions alone at night." She had a sly grin when the gargoyle gave a low rumble back in displeasure. "Then you don't have to worry about showing your black skin and…" She waved her left hand at her best friend. "Extremely sharp teeth."

"Funny," Xena muttered. But she gave a challenging look to her partner.

"Oh I can handle anything alone."

"If it excludes a dagger," the gargoyle poked.

"Ha ha." Gabrielle gave a sour look. "In a couple of years, I bet I'll be able to handle six or eight opponents without any problem."

Xena seriously considered it and tilted her head. "Yes… most likely." She had to admit that Gabrielle had come a long way since her days as a starstruck village girl.

Gabrielle was actually proud of herself at that moment. She didn't often get any type of compliment from her partner about her prowess as a fighter. And perhaps part of her wasn't totally comfortable with that aspect since her morals didn't agree with fists, weapons, and pain. She set that aside for now though.

The gargoyle scanned the road when they stepped onto it. She was able to see at night much better than when she was human. She was amazed by the difference and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Gabrielle stayed closer to her best friend as they continued silently traveling down the quiet road. She edged a bit closer and carefully slipped her hand into Xena's much larger hand. She hadn't thought much about it until she noticed how her smaller hand easily fit into the gargoyle's palm.

Xena glanced at their linked hands, but she shifted it so that Gabrielle held the underside of her palm. She knew they couldn't hold hands traditionally while Xena was a gargoyle. That thought led into other thoughts about the future for them. She was unsure how her gargoyle side would play into her relationship with Gabrielle. But Xena already had the sense that Gabrielle not only accepted it but enjoyed it.

The bard was quiet for once. She was imagining what rested in Britannia for them. She was unsure what a clan of gargoyles would do or say once they met Xena. Her stomach was knotted in worry and even in mild fear. It most likely would be an unkind reaction in Gabrielle's opinion. Gabrielle understood what it meant to be different than everybody else. It was why she was on the road with Xena and not with her family anymore.

"You are quiet," the gargoyle observed aloud.

Gabrielle half shrugged and peered up at her friend's dark features. "I'm just thinking."

"I know," Xena murmured. "So am I." She knew that she and Gabrielle were sharing the same thoughts. "We will stay at the next village."

"You think it's very far?" the bard checked.

Xena considered her mental map. "Perhaps two to three candlemarks."

Gabrielle nodded. She was content to walk there. She licked her dry lips and tilted her head at a random thought. "Don't you think there's some kind of magic involved with your transformation?" She caught Xena's curious gaze thanks to the moonlight. "It's just odd how your leathers, boots, or whatever is on you can be absorbed into the transformation."

The gargoyle couldn't argue that Gabrielle had a good point. "Hopefully we will find out once we find the clan."

"I hope so," Gabrielle murmured. She then sharply noticed the tension explode through Xena. She freed her hand from Xena's and took her staff with both hands. "What is it?"

"There are travelers on the road." The gargoyle inhaled deeper which caused her wide nostrils to flare out more. "I can smell their horses."

Gabrielle shook her head because she couldn't hear, see, or smell anything. "You think it's trouble?" She trusted Xena's instincts.

Xena slowed their walk until they weren't moving anymore. "I do not think so but…" She looked at her partner. "I am going to follow from the woods." She wasn't keen on meeting any travelers when she was a gargoyle. She started for the woods until a small hand had her tail.

"Woooo," Gabrielle fought. She'd gone two extra steps but found her friend facing her. "We should stay together."

The gargoyle slid her tail out of Gabrielle's hand. "It is not safe."

"Oh and traveling at night is definitely safe." The bard put her freehand on her hip. "Thrace is barren compared to the other city-states."

Xena shifted closer to her friend. "If they are regular travelers then they will be scared of me." She glanced over her left shoulder. They were growing nearer.

"You have to start at some point." Gabrielle waved her right hand in the air. "You can't hide from humans all the time." She could tell Xena was about to argue some more. "Come on," she cut off. "Just trust me on this." She took a step down the road in hopes to encourage her friend.

Xena groused but decided to give it a try. She was unsure about the idea. But she couldn't refuse her friend a chance at it. "Alright," she softly gave in. She rejoined Gabrielle on the walk.

Gabrielle knew it was hard for her friend. She could nearly touch the rising tension in Xena that beaded off her. But Gabrielle would try smoothing it over, especially if it were common villagers traveling at night. But she wouldn't feel sorry for them if they were bandits and thieves.

The gargoyle heard the wagon wheels then made out the two humans riding on the front. Once the moonlight hit the wagon right, she realized it was wares they were taking to a market most likely. Xena could only guess they were headed south to either Amphipolis or Eion. There were not many trade routes through Thrace, and Eion was a growing port for merchants to get their wares to foreign markets.

Gabrielle could barely make out the growing movements of the wagon. She could tell they were coming south, towards them. She felt somewhat nervous but was determined to make this go over well. She reached back and fingered the chakram attached to her pack. It wasn't a weapon she could use, but it was also a symbol to many people.

Xena tried not curling her talons into fists once the wagon came into view. "I hope you are ready for this."

"I hope you are too." Gabrielle patted her friend's covered stomach then put on her best smile when she saw the travelers finally. She hoped this went over well. They did have to start somewhere and this was a safe test trial if anything.

Xena started to get nervous, which was extremely rare. She wanted to dart off into the woods and watch over Gabrielle. But she jammed her fear down and remembered how difficult it'd been to go from a murdering warlord to a respected hero among people. She still fought against her old image at times.

"Hello," Gabrielle greeted to the man and woman on the wagon. She suspected by their normal manners that they hadn't caught Xena's differences. She knew it'd be a matter of heartbeats as they came closer.

"Hooo," the man called to his horses. He had them stop several hundred paces away from the travelers on foot. He hadn't expected another woman on the road beside his wife. They'd hoped not to run into anybody, especially bandits. "Who goes there?" He was able to make out their figures in the moonlight. He couldn't imagine how tall the fella on the left was, but he was huge.

"I'm Gabrielle," the bard warmly informed. She gripped her staff tighter just to be safe. She signaled her partner. "And this is Xena."

The wife, on the wagon, perked up at the names. "Xena and Gabrielle." She was obviously thrilled and leaned towards her husband to get a better look at the nearing pair. "I've heard so much about you both from bards that come in and out of our village." She was obviously a fan.

Gabrielle muffled a laugh and heard her friend's low snort. She and Xena came closer until they were finally a few paces from the couple. She dug her nails into her staff though when the two horses whined loudly at Xena.

"Oh my," the wife gasped. She grabbed her husband's nearest arm.

The husband went for his old sword at his hip without any thought. But he was caught short when a large, black hand firmly gripped his forearm.

"I do not recommend that course of action," the black creature fairly warned in a heavy voice.

The husband was breathing hard and stared into the bluest eyes he'd only seen on warm summer days in Thrace. He couldn't hide his tremble though from the creature.

"It's alright," Gabrielle cut into the conversation before anything went wrong. She came closer and rested a hand on her partner's stiff back. She could feel the muscles even under the wing. Her features centered on the scared travelers. "This is Xena… she's just having some… complexion issues." She hoped the joke would ease somebody.

The gargoyle slotted her eyes, but she didn't move either. "Thanks, Gabrielle."

The bard had a cheeky smile for a beat then went serious again. "Xena, just let him go." She heard her friend's nearly silent sigh so she politely added, "Please."

The gargoyle knew that the villagers were no threat so she relinquished her grasp and took a step back from the wagon. She allowed her partner to talk their way through this ordeal.

Gabrielle accepted the silent challenge from the gargoyle and gave her warm smile to the couple again. "Sorry about that." She indicated the man's grip on the hilt. "If you don't mind…."

The husband decided he could at least trust the small girl, who seemed to have some kind of handle on the creature. He slid the blade back into the worn sheath then put his hand in his lap but still near the hilt, just in case.

The wife hadn't released her spouse and continued staring directly at the creature. She heard Gabrielle speaking, but she was too focused on the creature, who was supposedly Xena the famous Warrior Princess.

The husband responded to Gabrielle's question and replied, "I'm Abraam and this is my wife, Reah."

"It's a pleasure to meet you both." Gabrielle still had her inviting smile and attempted being calm despite the difficulty of the situation. She decided on keeping it simple and explained, "Xena and I are traveling to the next village for the night. Do you have many problems with bandits on the road?"

The husband, Abraam, cleared his throat and nervously replied, "No… not often." He shifted his wary features from the creature to Gabrielle. "It's fairly quiet in these parts."

"That's good to hear," the bard replied.

"So what are you?" came Reah's harsh voice. She was obviously scared and quite unsure of the supposed Warrior Princess.

Xena canted her head and folded her muscular arms, which caused her caped wings to slightly part and reveal more of her black skin. "I am a gargoyle." She felt it was simple enough.

Gabrielle had prickles rise up on the back of her neck so she jumped into the conversation again. "It actually just happened recently." She shifted into bard mode and explained, "We were traveling to see the Amazons when we discovered that Xena was starting to change into a gargoyle but only at night."

The gargoyle let out a low breath because she disliked small talk. She knew her friend was trying her best so Xena needed to be patient.

"We're hoping we can find out what's happened to Xena," Gabrielle added. "It's a bit of a mystery though."

"It doesn't look anything like Xena," Reah argued.

"Reah," the husband hushed. Abraam didn't want to make the creature mad at them.

Xena barely bit back a low growl after being insulted. It took more control than she thought she had in her. After a steady breath she saw that Gabrielle was reaching for the chakram.

"The height, dark hair, and blue eyes don't convince you huh?" Gabrielle had a silly grin, but she'd freed the chakram and handed it to her partner. "Everybody knows Xena's famous weapon."

The gargoyle quickly understood what her friend wanted her to do. A slight toothy grin formed, and she raised her chakram. Despite it was smaller in her hand, Xena easily threw the weapon off to her right.

Reah had wide eyes because she'd heard about the amazing weapon. She saw it flash by before it was gone in the darkness. But she could still hear it. Like her husband, she twisted in her seat but couldn't see it anywhere. The unusual whistle though was growing louder and coming towards them.

Gabrielle prayed Xena could see the weapon in the darkness. Hopefully her idea didn't become a dumb one somehow. But suddenly she spotted the chakram coming off her left and directly at her head. "Oh my gods," she sharply whispered.

Xena's left arm shot out and snared the chakram only two hands length from Gabrielle's face. She lifted the blade up from Gabrielle's face then quickly lowered the weapon to her side.

The bard let out a sigh but shot a quick glower at her partner. "Thanks." She knew it was Xena's way of getting back at her for putting Xena through this. She cleared her throat and soothed her nerves.

"Wow… you're really Xena," Reah gushed out. She looked at her husband and frantically explained, "Only Xena knows how to use a chak-ram."

Xena rolled her eyes and nearly sighed loudly.

Gabrielle decided not to get into the technicalities about Callisto knowing how to use Xena's weapon. She instead shifted the conversation back to them. "Where are you headed?"

"To Eion," Abraam supplied. "We plan to sell our wine there." He indicated their supplies in the wagon.

"Oh wine." Gabrielle was a bit excited despite she'd never had the chance to develop a palette for the drink. However, she knew how important it was to Greeks. "I'm sure it will fair well in the agora."

"We hope so too." Abraam needed the wine to do well if he was going to continue his joint adventure at the winery. "If you're staying in our village, I would suggest you go to Nileas's inn. His is rather nice, and he will be kind." He actually started relaxing some. "Just mention our names, and he will take care of you."

"Thank you." Gabrielle flashed a smile.

Xena felt it was time to go and shifted on her feet until Gabrielle's voice stopped her.

"Are there any taverns you recommend too?"

Xena mentally groaned and wondered why her partner had to drag this out any longer. Everybody was uncomfortable enough, and they were killing time. She listened to Reah's lengthy reply and could tell that it was fueling Gabrielle's conversation fire more. So Xena silently moved her tail over to the bard's back and snaked it up the bard's duster.

Gabrielle was about to ask another question until a hot flash shot up her spine when she felt something brush across the bottom side of her butt. She sharply glanced at Xena, who was giving her an innocent look.

"Do you need to ask Reah and Abraam anything else, Gabrielle?" The gargoyle's voice rumbled like thunder between the group. Her blue eyes darkened, and her lips curled into a grin.

The bard parted her lips but faltered when Xena's tail teased the inner part of her thigh. She was thankful the darkness hid her deep flush. She could barely focus and hoped clearing her throat would help her. "No." She cleared her throat again. "I'm good." She blew out some air when Xena's tail wrapped around her knee instead of something else.

Xena turned her wicked smile to the villagers. "Thank you for your time." She wanted to go, badly.

"Not to mention it," Abraam replied. He took the horses' reins into his hands. "Perhaps our paths will cross again."

"Yes, when you're looking healthier," Reah supplied.

Gabrielle almost argued Reah's comment until the tail tightened around her knee in warning. She tapped her staff once and replied, "I'm sure Xena will be back to her husband-stealing good looks real soon." She smiled quite sweetly too.

"Gabrielle," the gargoyle snarled in a low voice.

By that point Abraam had ordered his horses to go. He didn't make out Gabrielle's smart comment but waved goodbye to them. "Take care now."

Reah wasn't sure if she heard the bard right or not. She instead waved goodbye too and became situated in her seat again.

Gabrielle slightly turned and watched them go. She huffed and whispered, "Some people… that was so rude."

"Oh and you were better about it?" Xena now slid her tail out from under Gabrielle's duster. She continued the walk to the village.

"I was the mature one, yes," the bard proudly replied.

The gargoyle gave a throaty laugh and made Gabrielle walk in front of her. She was able to tie the chakram back in place.

"And you…" Gabrielle poked her friend's chest when they were beside each other. "What do you think you were doing with your tail?" She tried jumping and grabbing the elusive tail that got away from her.

Xena stopped and faced her flushed partner. "I was merely trying to speed up the conversation."

"You can try different methods," Gabrielle jabbed.

The gargoyle didn't take offense. "It seemed like an adequate tactic." She didn't get any reply back besides Gabrielle's dark glare. She would bet her dinars that Gabrielle would attempt to get her back later. And Xena looked forward to it.

"So…" Xena prompted after some silence. She walked closer to her friend.

"What?" Gabrielle gazed at her friend in apprehension. What was Xena up to now?

"How about we cut this walk short and fly the rest of the way," Xena offered. She could tell Gabrielle was seriously weighing the pros and cons. She gave a hefty sigh. "Gabrielle."

"Alright!" Gabrielle tossed her freehand into the air. "Fine." She stopped suddenly and faced the gargoyle. "It's always your way." She had a smirk because they both knew it wasn't true.

"And keep it that way, shall we?" Xena tormented. She didn't hesitate and scooped up her friend with ease.

Gabrielle yelped at being grabbed so fast but Xena snatched her staff before she knew what happened. She was able to put both arms around Xena's neck as she was carried off the road.

The gargoyle followed the winds that were on the ground. She could detected which way they were moving around her. She was grateful when they came out of the small woods and into open Thracian lands. She freed her wings and drew them behind her back.

"How… are we going to do this?" the bard curiously checked.

"Real easily." Xena sniffed the cool air and headed for what she knew was a cliff straight ahead. She grinned because it would be easy.

Gabrielle tightened her hold around her friend when they came upon the cliff. "Xena… you can't be serious." She could barely make out the valley swallowed by the darkness below. It may have not seemed so scary during the day.

The gargoyle didn't answer and tilted her head back until the back of her head brushed against the staff. "Hold tightly to me."

Gabrielle was worried she'd strangle Xena if she did hold any tighter. She screamed Xena's name when the gargoyle jumped off the cliff. She hid her face until she felt they were safely in the air. She let out a relieved sigh and looked around finally.

"Do you think you can really find the village from up here?"

"Yes." The gargoyle could see the road through the snake line in the trees. She suspected Gabrielle couldn't see it though. "The village will be easy to see from the air."

The bard relaxed some and enjoyed the flying that seemed to make time go quickly. She furrowed her eyebrows after a little while. "What is that light?"

"My guess is a herder," the gargoyle replied. She started spotting the sheep now.

"We must not be far from the village then." Gabrielle was amazed the ride would be so quick. They'd only been in the air for a little less than a candlemark.

"Just ahead," Xena whispered into the bard's ear.

Gabrielle looked off her right and was surprised to see the village brightly lit by torches. Now she understood why Xena said they'd find the village so quickly. "Wow." She smiled. "I like this." Her ears rang with Xena's low chuckle. "So you going to go into the inn with me?"

Xena gave her partner a doubtful look. She had enough adventure for tonight after Reah and Abraam. She could do without another human encounter for tonight. Xena landed in the town but in a quiet, dark area that she wouldn't have to worry about villagers seeing her. She gave Gabrielle the money for their room and told her she'd be close behind.

Gabrielle didn't question anything and promised to open the window for Xena. She went directly to the inn that Abraam had told them about. She was pleased to find that Nileas was indeed rather kind and promised her a free bath after mentioning Abraam's name. Gabrielle thanked him for his kindness then went to her room.

The gargoyle was perched on the inn's roof. She listened for Gabrielle to remove the mat from their room's window. She wasn't disappointed and shifted to that side of the inn. She dropped to the ground then easily jumped through the open window.

Gabrielle wasn't surprised to see her friend. She went back to preparing for bed while Xena put the mat back over the window. They would be chilly tonight otherwise. While she changed, she listened to Xena preparing the fireplace so they'd be warm all night. She was grateful that she and Xena had worked out their chores after some time together. They easily fell into step and things were rarely questioned.

Finally Gabrielle crawled into the cool but welcoming bed. She loved it too. She was going to be spoiled in the coming moons by having beds nearly every night. She already started dozing off until Xena climbed into bed with her. She'd already learned that she had to sleep against Xena since Xena's new found weight as a gargoyle caused the bed to sink in her direction. It was an adjustment that was all too easy to make for Gabrielle.

Much to the gargoyle's surprise, she didn't take long to doze off. She was thankful because it would mean that tomorrow's traveling would be easier on her. Xena would be able to also think with a clearer head compared to days after sleepless nights.

At dawn, Gabrielle stirred after feeling Xena's body change from gargoyle to human. She glanced over her shoulder and found her friend's tanned skin. She sighed contently but wasn't surprised that Xena got up and stripped out of her leathers.

"Another candlemark?" the bard muttered.

The warrior curled up against her friend. "Another candlemark," she sleepily agreed. She had Gabrielle adjusted in her arms and closed her eyes. She let her forehead lean against the back of Gabrielle's head. She breathed in her friend's distinct scent that she'd grown more aware of when she was a gargoyle. She let out a low breath then became content.

Xena shifted some and realized how much better she did feel today. Another candlemark of sleep would do her perfect. But before she drifted off, an odd thought occurred to her and made her lift her head. It was true though even after she touched her forehead.

"What… is it?" Gabrielle fought off her sleep and slightly turned. She was worried something was about to happen. She'd learned from Xena to be prepared for anything.

"My headache…"

The bard twisted more and revealed her confused look to Xena.

"It's gone." Xena lowered her hand from her face to Gabrielle's hip. She took in Gabrielle's growing smile. "My headache is finally gone."

Gabrielle mentally checked off that it was twelve days that it went on for, at least twelve she knew of. She reached back and took Xena's hand from her hip. "I'm glad it finally stopped." She drew Xena's arm around her waist.

The warrior silently agreed to Gabrielle's idea of sleep by curling back up. She sighed contently and whispered, "I am too." She followed Gabrielle to their dreamscapes.

To be continued.