AN: evil Xena twist once again ;) and some Gabrielle twists as well! Some awesome historical figures in this chapter. Enjoy and feedback much appreciated!

Chapter 11

A few days later Xena awoke in a tent lying down on a large sum of blankets and pillows. The flap of the tent's entrance opened and she shielded her eyes from the sunlight. An outline of a man was obvious and he stepped inside watching her carefully. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness of the tent again and she sat up. Completely forgetting that her legs were still broken she winced in pain as she tried to sit up. He sauntered over to her and poured a glass of wine for her.

"Don't trouble yourself," he smiled slyly and handed her the cup of wine. Xena took the wine and sniffed it. "It's not poisoned," he knelt down and sipped from the cup himself to reassure her. "See?" he winked and Xena downed the wine, quenching her thirst.

He sat down next to her and laid down comfortably on the large pillows staring into her sultry blue eyes. He was lost in them just as he had seen them days ago. "You have gorgeous eyes," he said in a low voice. Xena raised a brow and scooted away from him cautiously.

"Who are you?" Xena said and handed him the empty cup. He gladly filled it up again and she slowly sipped on the wine.

This strange man was obviously from the Eastern lands, just where she was headed before Caesar got in the way. The man's green eyes were a bit intoxicating as was his dark thick eyebrows. His long nose and chiseled chin was every woman's dream. She felt a bit embarrassed that she stared for such a long time. She shied away but he did answer her question.

"The better question is..who are you and what gods sent you down from the heavens?" his smooth talking made Xena want to cringe, though she hadn't been talked to like that, not even from Ares. Afraid to admit, she wanted him to continue. She chided herself and cleared her throat.

"I asked you first," she smirked.

He couldn't agree with her more so he reached for the wine bottle. "First some wine," he eyed her curiously, "do you mind if I...drink with you?" his eyes twinkled. Xena felt a bit surprised that he'd ask such a thing.

"It's your wine...your tent," she shrugged. The man smiled pouring himself a glass and drank generously, releasing a sigh of contentment. She grinned slightly at this man.

"Good wine courtesy of the Turks," he winked and drank from his cup. "Forgive me, my name is Sinbad. You're lucky that I am on land right now."

Xena eyed him confusedly. She then took a sip from her cup and tapped the cup with her fingernails. "And why is that? So you could rescue me?" she scoffed.

Sinbad chuckled and touched Xena's arm gingerly. "I belong to the seas. I'm a sailor."

She nodded, now understanding everything. "So you're a pirate," she smirked downing the last bit of her wine.

He shrugged his shoulder, "sailors, pirates, one in the same my lady. You still haven't told me your name," he inquired.

"The name is Xena." He stared at her, lost in her eyes once more. She felt the awkwardness creep up on her. "I...really need to be leaving soon. I have an army to recruit." She attempted to move but that was unlikely. She somehow kept forgetting about her broken limbs.

Sinbad kneeled close to her and stopped her from getting up. "An army? When I found you, you were alone Xena...now, what is a woman as beautiful as you doing by yourself in these lands?" he winked.

"I don't need to explain myself to you. I can't stay here, I need to go!" she tried to get up and Sinbad waited for her to get up but it was a struggle to just watch her try. He chuckled and she frowned at him narrowing her eyes. "You think something is funny?"

He shook his head and simply did not reply. He stood up and lifted her up immediately and Xena fumbled and fell right into his arms. Their bodies were touching and both stared at one another for a few silent intense moments. Xena shied away from his stare as did he.

"Xena, why don't you come with me? I will be leaving these lands soon to return to the sea. We could..work together?"

Xena shook her head and wanted to march right out of the tent but her limp legs prevented her from doing so only leaving her one option: to stay close to him, holding onto him. "the last time I trusted a man to work with me it didn't end well. I work alone!"

Sinbad shrugged and let go of her and she nearly fell backwards until he grabbed hold of her arms again, swinging her body close to his. "I'm not like those other men, Xena. Come, travel with me. You won't regret it," he leaned in closer and Xena's eyes fluttered as she stared into his bright green eyes, those green eyes. They reminded her of Gabrielle. She wondered where Gabrielle was at this moment or if she was alive. She thought she could forget about the teenager but she couldn't! it was better if she thought her dead than alive, then she wouldn't care anymore.

She breathed heavily. "And...why should I trust you? I don't even know you."

Sinbad brought her body closer to his, his hand on the small of her back pushing her chest into his. "Why don't you get to know me and we'll go from there?" he smiled slyly and she smiled in response.

Gabrielle and the two girls she was on board with on the ship were pushed off the ship. They walked behind Naseem onto land. The land was quite beautiful. Orange sand and buildings to match as well as a blue sea to contrast against the brightly colored city. Her eyes roamed the area as they walked through the streets. She seemed to have forgotten she was still in the attire Xena put her in days ago. She couldn't believe that was just days ago. Regretting meeting Xena came to her mind. She wished she could have just gone on her marry way, but no, she had to follow Xena and now she was here. A frown came to her lips as she thought of Xena. She didn't hate the woman but it was her fault she was here.

Even though she didn't hate her, she couldn't shake her feelings towards her. Her thoughts of Xena were interrupted when she was pushed forward into a building. It was rather large and she followed behind Naseem. The pirate didn't seem so bad after all. He didn't try to touch her or harm her.

They came into a large ornate room filled with exotic rugs and beautiful portraits. Naseem spoke in his native language and the men pushed Gabrielle and the two girls forward. She grunted and nudged her arm away from the men.

"Your majesty. I have a special gift for you. A girl gifted to me by Caesar himself," Naseem bowed his head and presented Gabrielle to the man sitting in his throne. Gabrielle was pushed forward and her eyes grew. Oh no, she thought, is this a harem?

The king nodded looking over Gabrielle. His right hand guard came up to her and opened her mouth to examine her teeth. Gabrielle's eyebrows rose and then he checked her hands and legs. He even sniffed her hair. The guard nodded, "she has not worked a day in her life," he said and stepped back.

The king waved his hand dismissing the other girls. Naseem's men took the other girls out and the guard of the king gave a large pouch of money to Naseem. He bowed his head and looked to Gabrielle before leaving. "You are a treasure indeed, Jameela," he winked. Gabrielle gulped and the king sighed heavily. The king's royal guards took off Gabrielle's shackles and she rubbed her wrists.

"Take her to the baths to get cleaned up." He snapped his fingers and a group of women came to Gabrielle, escorting her down the hall. She could kill Xena for this.

Awhile later Gabrielle was bathed by several women and they even brushed her hair and put her in an orange sheer gown. The same women then lead her down a long hallway. She expected to find herself in the king's bed chambers but instead she saw a silhouette of a naked woman. She was basking in the sunlight and then wrapped herself in a robe and turned to see a very shocked blonde staring at her.

The woman snapped her fingers and the servants bowed their heads dispersing from the room now with Gabrielle and her alone finally. She took the pin out of her bun and her long raven curly locks tumbled down her back. In some ways she reminded Gabrielle of Xena. She was somewhat tall, thin and had an olive complexion as well as beautiful dark blue eyes.

The woman laid down on a sofa exposing her soft breasts and Gabrielle turned away. She snickered, "don't be shy, girl." She traced her fingers alongside her hip and Gabrielle remained still. "My father bought you to be my hand maiden."

Gabrielle's mouth gaped. "hand maiden? I don't know anything about...well, I don't do that...oh my gods," she buried her face in her hands. Now she wanted to see Xena so she could stab her right then and there.

She giggled and stood up, placing her hands on Gabrielle. "You don't know who I am do you?" Gabrielle looked up at the woman and shook her head. She sighed, "slaves, I swear." She waved her hand dismissively. Gabrielle frowned and immediately became enraged.

"I'm not a slave! This is a giant disaster! This is all Xena's fault!" she growled.

The royal woman's eyes widened. "Not a slave? What are you then and who is Xena?" she inquired.

Gabrielle folded her arms, "a stupid girl with stupid dreams," she grumbled. The woman then grabbed her comb and began combing through her curly locks. "Xena is a warrior woman. If you ask me, she is a murderer and a bit of a slut," she laughed thinking of herself using such language. The woman's eyes widened and she set the comb down.

"A slut?" the woman nodded her head. "I never heard of any warrior women let alone warrior women sluts," she chuckled. She stood up and held out her hand to greet her new hand maiden properly. "My name is Dido, Princess Dido to be exact."

Gabrielle felt suddenly embarrassed. She was conversing with a princess and then it donned on her. She was in Carthage. She heard of stories about Princess Dido but never thought she'd get to meet her. She bowed her head and Dido lifted Gabrielle's chin. "You're a sweet girl, I can see that. You said...you weren't a slave, so what do you do?"

"I...tell stories," she admitted shyly.

Dido sat down simply excited and her robe slipped a bit. Gabrielle's eyes widened and she cleared her throat trying to look away. Royalty and warrior women were obviously not shy about their bodies that's for sure. First Xena, now this. "I love stories!" she grabbed the comb and handed it to Gabrielle to brush her hair. Gabrielle sighed and took the comb. At least this was better than being with Xena or being on that ship, she told herself and who knows she might like here.

"Tell me a story...um..." Dido peered up at the blonde girl. "What did you say your name was?"

Gabrielle smiled, "I didn't, but...my name is Gabrielle."

Dido tapped her chin, "Gabrielle, what a beautiful name. It means 'strength'," she grinned. Gabrielle had never thought her name meant anything special until now. She rather liked the meaning of her name now more than ever. This princess wasn't so bad, at least she was nice. "What stories do you know?"

"I know lots of stories," Gabrielle combed the princess's hair and Dido smiled eagerly.

"I'd like to hear about this Xena woman. Tell me some of your stories about her."

Gabrielle frowned but since the woman asked, she wasn't going to deny the request. So she began telling the princess about Xena and the first time they met back at the bacchanalia.

Xena lifted herself off of Sinbad beneath her. She breathed heavily with a large smile on her lips. Her wild dark hair shielded much of her face and she rolled off his body letting out an exasperated sigh of content. He put his hand behind his head and wrapped the other around Xena's shoulders as they laid together in bed. She had been at sea with him for the last few months and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it and so did he, apparently.

She was skeptical at first but he proved to be a good man, at least so far. They worked well together: with her fighting skills and his navigation skills they were unstoppable. They stopped at every port along the Mediterranean, looting every city they could and escaping just in time before they were caught. The thought of being caught or almost being caught was so invigorating to them both. Xena enjoyed the passion between them both as did he.

They were on the coast of Rome now and Sinbad wanted to stop here and loot Rome. Xena frowned as he spoke of his plans. She immediately got out of bed and limped over to grab some wine. She stood completely unclothed and his eyes roamed her body, still enticed by her beauty even months after they met.

"We can't go to Rome. Pick any other place but that one!" Xena downed her wine and poured another glass and one for him as well. She crawled back onto the bed and laid down close to him, kissing his neck softly.

As much as he enjoyed Xena's lips on his flesh he had to stop her. She looked up at him a bit disappointed. "why can't we go to Rome? Do you know how many riches there are?"

Xena groaned and scooted away from him. "Yes I do! I used to live there." His interest perked up and he brought her body closer but she resisted. He kissed her neck sensually and she kept sipping her wine, trying to ignore him. Closing her eyes she licked her lips then pushed him off. "Stop doing that! We have enough money and jewels to last us for years! And you want Rome?" she laughed.

Sinbad raised his thick brow. "Xena...my dear. You never told me you lived in Rome. What exactly did you do there? Raise an army?" he scoffed sipping his wine.

"Yes," she answered curtly. He coughed and she smirked at him. "I can't go back there. Caesar wants my head."

He sat up as he stared at her bare back. He traced his fingertips on her shoulders and felt her shiver at his touch. "Then why don't we go in and kill the Roman?" he teased and kissed her shoulder. Xena turned around and pushed him back on the bed, spilling wine all over his body.

"You're asking the impossible, Sinbad," she laid on top of him and dipped her finger in her wine and traced his lips with her wine stained finger. "Impossible..." she hissed. He then grabbed her and flipped her over now she was underneath him. Her eyes widened and she dropped her wine glass on the ship's floor below the bed. She grinned and kissed his lips softly. "that's not going to work this time!"

Sinbad wagged his finger. "you're a tough woman, Xena. I've shown you the world and you're afraid to go back to Rome because of a silly Roman?"

Xena frowned and pushed him off of her body wrapping herself in the sheets. "I'm not afraid of anything."

Sinbad inched closer to her as she stood in front of him. He brought her body close to his and straddled his legs. She rolled her eyes and he kissed her flat stomach through the sheets. "You said you wanted an army. Kill Caesar and Rome is yours. Isn't that what you always wanted?" he kissed her again and Xena sighed heavily. "Just go in like a fox in a hen house and take what you desire," he eyed her and she smiled mischievously.

"And I suppose you want something in return?" she ruffled his thick dark hair and he smiled up at her, bringing her close to him. He stood up and picked her up by the waist and she grinned, almost feeling like a teenager again.

"I just want to see you succeed!" he kissed her forehead and Xena's cheeks blushed. She nodded her head, finally agreeing to what he said. She was going to kill Caesar and take everything in Rome for herself.

Gabrielle had been with Princess Dido for the last four months and while she missed home, she liked living here as well. She folded all of the princess's clothes and then organized all of her makeup brushes for her. In the middle of her chores she heard the doors swing wide open and a very angry Dido enter the room. She threw down a vase and Gabrielle backed away.

"What's going on?" Gabrielle innocently asked.

Dido growled, "I just received word that a band of thieves is going to attack Rome!" she ripped the crown off her head and threw it on her vanity set. Gabrielle frowned and folded her arms. She didn't like hearing that word 'Rome'. It only reminded her of Xena and Caesar –the two people she hated most right now.

"Caesar is Carthage's best ally! And now this happens!" she huffed and plopped down on her bed. "Gabrielle this is simply awful!"

Gabrielle sat down next to Dido and pat her hand gently. "Do you know who the thieves are?"

Dido threw her hands in the air in frustration and began pacing around her bedroom. "It's that bastard, Sinbad, but this time," she wagged her finger, " he has a woman with him. My father's scouts told me so!"

Gabrielle's ears perked up. Women don't travel with sailors, especially sailors like Sinbad. She had heard of him before. He may be smooth with words but he was conniving and seductive. Only few people were susceptible to those kinds of men.

"It's Xena," she stated and Dido paused in her pacing staring at the blonde.

"Xena? That woman you hate so much? How do you know?"

Gabrielle grinned tightly, "trust me it's her. I know her well enough," a finger came to her lips reminiscing that kiss that Xena gave her. Shaking her head of those thoughts she came back to the situation at hand. She then began chuckling humbly. "She really wants Rome. She'll do anything to kill Caesar especially since he broke her legs."

Dido gasped. "That was her? By the gods, I thought she died."

"No I saved her..." Gabrielle mumbled and Dido frowned at this, folding her arms.

"you saved her? Why did you save her if you hate her so much?"

Gabrielle shrugged, "I thought I could change her...or something. I don't know! I was stupid," she pouted in her own self destruction.

Dido nodded now deciding on what should be done next. "then it's settled. We go and find Xena and kill her."

Gabrielle's eyes widened and her mouth gaped. Did she really want Xena dead? Perhaps she wanted her to live in a world of misery instead. Death was too easy for that woman.