Important Note:
Hey guys! So as you know, the last two chapters took place during and after the events of "Sacrifice Pt.2". But as of this chapter, there has been a time jump. The reason behind this is because, well, for one, Xena and Gabrielle are already united at the end of my version of Sacrifice, so there is no need for Xena to go around galavanting and searching for the bard as we see during the first couple episodes of season 4. After those episodes, we see Xena and Gabrielle traveling to India, a storyline I really couldn't envision adding Ares into. So, just for your time frame reference, this chapter will start during the episode "End Game", which means we will be going strait into the epic season finale. Ok—I'm going to stop babbling and let you all enjoy...
It had been almost a year since she had seen him.
And the strange thing was, Xena still expected him to show up—one day, she would round a corner or let her guard down for a even a moment, and he would be there. And yet, he never was.
There was no flash of azure to nearly blind her, and no cocky God of War to follow the light.
Ares had avoided her completely, though Xena still didn't doubt that one day he would resort to "calling in a favor" for rescuing Gabrielle. The War God had saved her from her seemingly firey death. The bard had been knocked into a ledge just above the lava, and Ares had appeared to her and brought her to Xena, releasing them both. He had never asked for anything in return, and they hadn't spoken since he had told Xena to "Take her and go," and the pair had left the temple.
In fact, he wasn't the only God who had made themselves scarce. Gabrielle had received a "I'm so glad you're not dead!" visit from Aphrodite, but after that, the Love Goddess made visits few and far between. She knew of the rift between she and Ares, and wouldn't be caught in the middle of the unspoken conflict.
The only other surprise visit was from the single Goddess Xena had expected to see the least—Athena. The Olympian had come to inform Xena of her lifted sentence. She would no longer be considered a "Rogue" Chosen, thanks to her work in defense of the Greek Gods. She had essentially saved them from Dahak after stopping his ascension, and as such, was no longer seen as a threat to their reign. Athena had also, rather surprisingly, apologized for her brother's actions against her, and had promised that if Ares ever tried anything again, all she need do was call out for her and she would put a stop to it. It was a rather awkward visit, but had managed to create a sort of understanding between them.
Xena and Gabrielle had made themselves busy in the meantime, traveling to far off places, fighting Alti, a notorious woman from the past, and finding out the meaning to life. Thanks to India, Gabrielle had recently adapted "the way of love," and had forsaken the life of a warrior, even going as far as to throw her staff into a river.
That was why, as Xena crept towards the strong-hold, she had left Gabrielle and their new friend, Amarice, with Eli and his followers.But that was not the only reason Xena had left Gabrielle behind. She has also seen a vision of her future.
The snow fell gently as they were nailed to the wooden crucifixes.
"I love you, Xena."
"I love you too, Gabrielle."
That was why Xena would kill Caesar alone.
He had placed a heavy price on her head, and she was determined to get to him before he could fulfill his "destiny" of conquering the world.
Xena went onward. She climbed a series of stone ledges, until she was directly outside of Caesar's door. It was open; the Roman was seated at his desk.
Xena saw her oppertunity—she threw her chakram. It hurled through the air, only to be caught a few inches from his face.
Callisto held it.
Only it didn't look like Callisto. Xena remembered the pain in the Goddess's eyes as she had killed her. Now, she just looked cold. Her diamond blonde hair was cropped short short, similar to the manner of Gabrielle's. She wore an evil grin upon her face.
"Hello, Xena."
Before Xena could say anything, Caesar yelled for his guards. Sprinting into action, she attempted the run back towards the halls, but was blocked by a flank of Roman soldiers.
Xena let out a war cry and plowed through the group, leaping from the nearest window.
She landed on the stone outside the strong-hold,
and quietly was able to blend back in with the mass of citizens, leaving the soldiers all but confused. But one person—or better yet—ghost, had followed her.
"Go away, Callisto."
Xena growled as the dead goddess came up beside her.
"Oh, not just yet, Xena. See, I still have an offer for you. I happen to think you'll be very interested in what I have to say"
Xena turned and glared at her. Callisto smiled wickedly.
"Gabrielle is in Roman hands."
"You lie."
Xena growled, wincing as she remembered her vision.
"Do I? Because I know everything about you and Gabrielle. You're trip to India, what happened with you two and Ares... She's on her way to a Roman prison now."
Before the ghost could make any offer, Xena ducked away, effectively losing her. She would save Gabrielle without any deals or offers.
Xxxxxxxx
She had traveled to the Roman prison, situated between the Northren Mountains.
Xena was dressed as a soldier, and was easily able to get into the cells.
"Xena!"
Gabrielle whispered as she came up to the cell holding her and the rest of Eli's followers.
"I'm so glad you're here."
Gabrielle said, as Xena opened the door with a key she had gotten from Brutus. She unchained Eli and Amarice, along with all the others.
"Let's go!"
Xena yelled, leading the group back outside.
"They're getting away!"
One of Caesar's men yelled. Within a moment, all the soldiers were upon them. Xena unsheathed her sword and valiantly blazed a trail of pure fire, cutting down anyone in her path.
It seemed like all of Eli's followers were getting away. Gabrielle was right behind them.
Then there was a familiar swish of a chakram—only it hadn't come from Xena's throw.
Before she could turn and catch it, the metal had connected with the small of her back. Xena screeched and fell, landing in the snow.
She couldn't move.
"Xena!"
Gabrielle yelled, turning back to her friend and rushing to help her.
"Just get out of here, Gabrielle! I can't. I can't—it's my spine."
She gritted out, white hot pain flooding down her back.
That did not stop the bard. Just as a hoard of Romans came forward, she defended Xena, picking up her fallen sword.
She gave up the way of love. For her.
She screamed, stabbing more Romans, and waving through them as if they were flies.
"Get up! Get up!"
The bard begged. But Xena couldn't.
"Gabrielle, stop."
Xena said, the edges of her vision blackening.
And then the bard saw the blood. She dropped her weapon, and the rest of the soldier's crowed around them. Then everything went black.
XxxxXxx
Xena had awoken, and laid with her head in Gabrielle's lap. They were sentenced to be executed, and only had minutes left.
"Gabrielle."
The bard kissed her forehead.
"I wish I had read your scrolls. Even once. I wish I had read them."
The bard smiled kindly.
"You would have liked them."
"I know."
Suddenly, the sound of their cell opening could be heard.
"It's time."
Xxxxx
Xena had to be dragged to her death.
Gabrielle went rather easily, perhaps because she knew there was no point in attempting escape as the Warrior Princess could not move. They were laid across large, wooden crucifixes.
The snow fell gently, leaving white to melt against the onyx of her hair.
The soldiers positioned the nails at Xena's hands and feet.
"By order of Caesar, Emperor of Rome, Xena, the Warrior Princess, and Gabrielle, Bard of Potedia, shall die on this day."
Xena looked over to her friend.
"I love you, Gabrielle."
The bard smiled, bitter-sweetly.
"I love you too, Xena."
Xena screwed her eyes shut, waiting for the blow.
"Well, this is awkward."
A familiar, dark voice said. Xena opened her eyes, looking up. She gasped at the sight of Ares, standing a few feet away from them.
"It is, after all, hard to take orders from a dead man."
The soldiers sneered.
"Who are you? What are you doing in Caesar's camp."
One of them demanded.
Ares shrugged.
"Oh, so you really didn't hear. Caesar, let's just say, ran into a little problem with the senate today. Well, more like 23 problems, but that's beside the point."
Xena's brow furrowed.
The soldiers looked confused.
"What are you getting at?"
"Wow. You mortals are truly, quite, slow...what I'm telling you, is that Caesar is dead...and you take your orders from me now."
The War God smirked.
"We don't have to listen to this, just kill these two are arrest this man!"
Ares chuckled.
"Me? Mortal? Oh, you are very slow, indeed..."
With that, Ares struck the soldiers with a lightning bolt, sending them both to the snow. He approached Xena, untying her feet and hands. When he tried to lift her, she groaned out in pain.
"Gabrielle..."
She murmured. The God rolled his eyes, but untied the bard as well, who immediatly jumped towards her friend.
"She can't move. It was her chakram. Callisto threw it at her and it hit her spine."
Without a word, Ares lifted Xena up into his arms. There was a great warmth coming from the God, and Xena nuzzled her head closer to his vest to get some of it.
She vaguely recalled a flash of light.
They had been transported to one of Ares's temples. Somewhere sunnier, evidenced by the warm yellow light coming through the windows.
She was laid on a table.
"Let's see if we can't get you straitened out, Xe. I can't have my favorite Warrior Princess out of the job, can I?"
Xxxxxx
After several healing sesssions with Ares, Xena was slowly able to move oncemore. With time, she was able to walk with minimal pain.
"How did you know where to find us?"
Gabrielle asked one day, to the God of War. He raised a brow.
"Ceaser was never one to shy away from talk about his conquests—the man thought he was a God. I heard about Xena being captured, and figured I owed you a debt."
At this, Xena spoke up.
"Gabrielle, can you give Ares and I a minute?"
The bard nodded and left the room.
"You saved us. Me and Gabrielle. Twice now."
He rescued Gabrielle from the lava pit.
Ares shrugged it off.
"I did owe you."
Xena looked at him.
"The debt is paid, Ares. But don't ever think, even for a moment, that I could forgive you for what you did to me."
For a moment both were silent.
"Xena, I love you."
Xena's eyes watered, and she couldn't meet his gaze.
"I know."
She replied, quietly.
"Don't you think, I don't know, that maybe one day, we could be together. I don't know, maybe a one in a million chance?"
Xena chuckled.
"More like one in a billion, Ares."
She walked out of the room.
Ok, so don't anybody freak out! I won't be leaving this story at this cliffhanger. I know I said this was going to be the final chapter—but there will be an epilogue.
Not that anyone will probably complain about some more X and A. :)
Thanks for being patient with me. I think you'll like the epilogue.
Xoxo,
Ember