Sorry for the delay. These past few days were rough and I couldn't get myself to writing. I hope you will like this chapter. The next one I will write will probably be the last one. Leave me a review, thank you. Enjoy reading. Sammie

The storm that hit Potidaea was calming down, the wind wasn't moving with the trees harshly any more and the people in the city came out from their houses to check what damage the storm has done. The nurses and patients who managed to escape from the hospice were standing close to the slowly falling apart building, waiting for the two remaining people who got stuck inside. Nobody wanted to leave. It was Xena, who saved almost all of the patients and they felt they owed the woman something. If it was at least waiting in the rain till they see their faces and will get a chance to thank them they were willing to get wet. After the wall collapsed and another part of the roof fell down these people almost lost their hope. The nurses were holding their hands in a prayer, their eyes closed. „Gabrielle!" a girl voice filled the space. It was Lila, Gabrielle's sister, who came running towards the hospice after she heard what happened. She couldn't believe her eyes. If one of the boy nurses didn't catch her she would run inside the hospice risking her life in order to find her sister. She was the only family that she had left after their parents died well after Xena killed them. When Lila thought about Xena, about how she murdered her parents in cold blood and how friendly she was now with Gabrielle, the hair on the back of her neck rose. She hated this warrior woman and was ready to do everything she could to show Gabrielle who Xena really was and how unfortunate her friendship with her was. She couldn't understand what Gabrielle saw in the tall dark haired woman. Yes, Gabrielle was always a nice person, kindness was her life style and her heart was always open to everyone but what must have Xena done to win her heart like that? But now it wasn't the right time to think about these things when there was no certainty she will ever have anyone to talk to about Xena ever again. „Gabrielle!" she screamed again and tried to fight against the boy's grasp. He wouldn't let her go, it was too dangerous. He tried to calm her down with his soft voice but it seemed it only made her even angrier.

„If Xena is the one who is responsible for your death, I will kill her, personally! If she survives," she added harshly. She was desperate and couldn't see any other way than the way of revenge.

As Lila had her own inner battle, Gabrielle and Xena were fighting inside of the hospice for their lives. Gabrielle opened her eyes, shook her head to get her eyes into focus and look around the damaged place. The dust was in the air and she couldn't see much. She wanted to get up but when she tried to move, something prevented her from doing so. At the moment when she realized she was under a very large and hard rock pain filled her whole body. Her legs were stuck and the only thing that kept her conscious was the pain that was shooting up from them.

„Xena?" she said and her voice broke. No way Xena could hear her. Gabrielle cleared her throat and decided to try it again. She gathered all the strength she had and opened her mouth.

„Xena?" she screamed, louder this time. There was no vocal response, only the movement of rocks, dirt and wood. Gabrielle listened and prayed for someone who was there to save her or for Xena to be somewhere under the debris, alive.

„Gabrielle, I am here. Hold on," Xena said and coughed few times before she cleared her lungs from all the dust she breathed in. She strongly removed the rocks and wood above her so she could check her body for injuries. She found none, only few scratches. These were nothing for her after what she had suffered many times in her life. Xena looked around and checked what condition the rest of the hospice was in. It didn't look good and she knew they had a little time to get out of there before the whole building collapsed. She was moving smoothly and quickly, she didn't want to disturb the fragile balance of the walls and ceiling. She was finally reaching Gabrielle when one of the walls on the other side of the house fell down. She jumped. „It's ok, we still have time," she whispered few words of support for herself so her nerves calmed down. She was always good at what she was doing because she could clear her head and stay away from panic. Panic was her worst enemy. She stood up and listened carefully. The people outside heard some noise and voices calling each other so she started to cheer them to hurry up. Xena smiled and continued. She reached Gabrielle and her instincts told her to go to check her wounds first. The tall warrior bent down and her finger lightly touched Gabrielle's cheek, the healer's eyes were closed. Xena wasn't sure if her friend was still alive or only unconscious. Gabrielle opened her eyes and searched for the person who touched her. She turned her head to the other side and looked into Xena's eyes. She has never felt safer before. Gabrielle knew that Xena was strong enough to get her out of there. She was just so tired and didn't have any power to lift the rocks that were on top of her legs.

„How are you feeling?" Xena asked and her eyes moved from the healer's face to her legs. She took a deep breath in and her gaze returned to Gabrielle's face.

„I will get you out of here," she whispered and stroke Gabrielle's hair.

„Now it's my time to save you," she added then stood and started to move the smaller rocks and pieces of wood away from Gabrielle's body. After a moment there was only the biggest rock left. Xena collected all her strength and pushed the rock aside. Gabrielle screamed.

„I am sorry," Xena apologized even thought she knew it wasn't her fault. She put her hands underneath Gabrielle's body and then lifted her up into her arms.

„Now the easy part. We are almost out," she said and held Gabrielle closer to her body so there was no chance of dropping her or hurting her. She began to walk, she overstepped the fallen rocks, wood and parts of ceilling. Soon they both were outside of the house. It was very dramatic. At the moment when they stepped outside, the rest of the walls which were still standing a moment ago, fell down and there was nothing left then just a pile of dirt, dust, remains of trees and rocks. Xena reached the other people and put Gabrielle on the ground to let her rest.

„Thank you," Gabrielle whispered before she fell asleep. Lila was standing in front of Xena with her mouth open in awe. She wasn't sure if this was only a dream or if it was real. Xena, the warrior who killed her parents now saved her sister knowing all the risks of losing her own life.

Lila fell down on her knees and started to cry. Xena raised her head and looked at the girl.

„What happened?" Xena asked and kept stroking Gabrielle's hair and checking her vitals.

„I am Lila, Gabrielle's sister," Lila began to explain herself.

„Gabrielle didn't mention you," Xena answered and surprised. Was Lila a liar or was Gabrielle one?

„At the beginning she was afraid that you would do something to me, because she didn't know you so well," Lila continued. She felt so ashamed now. Now she understood to her sister, now she knew what Gabrielle saw in this warrior.

„I am sorry, Xena. Do you remember the fire in the hospice few days ago? It was me who started it. I was very angry at my sister that she was friendly with you, with the woman who took our parents from us that I wanted to hurt you. And now you saved my only sister, my only family and this is my gratitude I am giving to you," Lila couldn't talk any more, she was crying. She fell down on the ground and wanted to disappear.

„I forgive you, Lila," Xena said calmly and touched Lila's head.

„Will you please forgive me for what I've done to you many years ago?" Xena added with tears in her eyes. Gabrielle was awaking and few nurses came to take her to the village.

Xena got up and went to Lila, she supported her and helped her to get up. She looked her deeply in her eyes and smiled.

„Isn't this the way of life Gabrielle is teaching? Ending the circle of violence with kindness, forgiveness? Xena said and put her finger under Lila's chin to rise her head up to make her look into her eyes.

„Yes, it is," Lila said and let Xena embrace her.

„Will Gabrielle forgive me?" Lila asked and pulled away from the tall woman.

„If nobody, Gabrielle would always forgive you," Xena put her arm around Lila's shoulders and they both went to the village to look after Gabrielle.

The End