Chapter 21 – We All Need Someone

Virgil was packing a satchel with some basic necessities as Gabriel sat on the floor and watched his every move.

"Where are you going?" the boy asked.

Virgil was focused on the bag in front of him and his mind was preoccupied running over possible scenarios that he and Xena might confront. It was imperative that they stop Anath in her tracks and the warrior was convinced that the goddess would have a formidable alliance immediately to both the south and the north. Anything that they did would only buy some additional time and Virgil knew that as well. He was worried about Eve and Gabriel and he was worried about Gabrielle. Since he first met the bard he had considered her his best friend. He grew up hearing about her, hearing her stories and seeing the gleam in his father's eyes every time that he spoke the bard's name. Virgil was determined that he and Xena would succeed and return safely. He could not imagine having to deliver news to the bard that the warrior was not coming back.

"Father…."

Virgil turned now to look at his son. He made his way to the boy and pulled up a piece of floor beside him in order to look him directly in the eye. "Gabriel," he said with a serious tone in his voice, "Xena," he paused and realized who Xena really was, "Your grandmother," he could hardly believe the words as they escaped his lips, "we need to take care of something…. To make sure that Auntie Gabrielle can get you and your mother to our friends."

The boy looked at his father. His eyebrows seemed now to meet in the middle of his young forehead as he considered his father's statement. "Will you have to fight?"

Virgil thought for a moment. He tried to shelter Gabriel as much as he could from the danger that often threatened their lives. Now, he felt he needed to be more honest and forthright. No matter what happened he knew that this time Gabriel would confront the reality of the world. It still amazed Virgil that so many saw Eve and the Elijans as a threat, but they did. The peacemakers were constantly forced to face the war makers. This time the perpetrators were immortal and that made this threat both more frightening and inevitably more violent.

"Gabriel," Virgil started, "sometimes…. Sometimes some of us have to fight…..so that people like your mother can make peace."

The boy looked at his father and squinted. He loved the stories his Auntie told him. He loved hearing about Titans and Amazons and armies, but this did not make sense to his young mind. "But," the boy said, "How can you make peace if you make war?"

Virgil smiled. The boy was right. He remembered thinking that so often as a child himself. He had heard Eve and Gabrielle talking about that. It was a conundrum. The reality of war in order to preserve peace. It made no sense. Gabriel was right. Unfortunately, there were always those that only wanted power and that meant that if peace was to have a chance it needed protectors.

"Well," Virgil said, "That is a very good question, Gabriel…..You are a very smart young man….. Some people, Gabriel…" he paused and pondered his answer, "Some people don't want peace….so … sometimes we have to fight to keep the peaceful people safe."

Gabriel nodded. After every story Gabrielle told him she had been certain to explain that it is never best to fight, but sometimes people had to. "I understand"

Virgil smiled. "I will be with you in a day or two…. Xena… she is the best fighter there is."

The boy's eyes became wide. "Not better than you," he said decidedly.

Virgil laughed out loud, "Yes, Gabriel…. She is even better than me," he patted his son on the head and jumped to his feet catching the sight of Eve standing in the doorway smiling softly. "Hey," he acknowledged her presence as she made her way into the yurt.

"How's it coming?" she asked going toward their son who rose to his feet to meet her.

"All set."

Eve continued as Gabriel collapsed against her. "Are you leaving tonight?"

Virgil looked at his family and smiled. "No, but before dawn."

Eve gave her husband a crooked grin. That made sense. It was her mother's typical plan. And, she was certain that her mother would want to be with Gabrielle as long as possible before they had to part company. "So then, "the messenger said, "What do we all think of a swim before they get back?"

Gabriel lit up and Virgil nodded, "I think that would be perfect,' he answered watching his wife set their son free as he ran out the door to the courtyard to wait for his parents.

Virgil looked at his wife standing before him. She had this incredible ability to calm him. He moved toward her and took her in his arms. "We won't be gone long," he said.

She looked at him sweetly, "Just be careful," she said. "We need you."

Virgil brushed the hair from Eve's face and looked at his in wonderment. He knew that Eve loved him but he sometimes found himself questioning if she really needed him. While she had a calming and peaceful presence and traveled most often with people around her; she remained fiercely independent in many ways, confident and determined; truly a mixture of the women that she called parents.

"You," he said still looking into her eyes, "Are the strongest person I know."

Eve shook her head. "You are wrong." He looked at her as she continued, "We both need you….I just don't tell you that enough."

He kissed her gently and as he pulled away he noticed a tear beginning to fall from her eye. He gently wiped it with his thumb. "You don't need to tell me anything," he said quietly.

She brushed his cheek with her hand, "Yes…..I do….Watching Mother look at Gabrielle…"

He interrupted her, "I know," he said with a smile. It reminded them both how precious time together was. They often left words unsaid, perhaps too often.

"Time for that swim," she smiled. He returned the expression grateful for this one afternoon with his family. As they made their way to catch up to their son he thought about how he hoped this might be the last big battle. He was tired of fighting. Poetry was always his first love. He was ready for some time with his family without running, defending or fighting. With Xena here he felt maybe, just maybe that chance would come.

Gabrielle and Xena had reached a small stone outcropping just a short distance from the Amazon village. Gabrielle immediately called for Aphrodite. It was less than an instant before the goddess arrived, immediately placing her hands on the bard's shoulders in concern. "I am so glad you are all right," she said.

Xena stood behind the goddess watching the earnest and deep concern she expressed for Gabrielle. Gabrielle smiled at her friend, "I'm fine," she said. "I had some unexpected help," she gestured over the goddess's shoulder.

Aphrodite turned. Her mouth flew open and she stared.

"Aphrodite," the warrior greeted.

Aphrodite turned back to look at Gabrielle whose gaze had fallen again upon Xena in the distance. The goddess was still in shock but seeing Gabrielle's expression as she looked at Xena, Aphrodite knew this was real. She spun back to face the warrior.

"I don't believe it," she said.

"Tell me," the warrior laughed. "It isgood to see you, Aphrodite."

"Not as good as it is to be seen, I'll bet," the goddess quipped invoking laughter from all three.

"Aphrodite," Gabrielle said as she made her way to the warrior who promptly placed her hand on the bard's shoulder. "Ares…."

Aphrodite's eyes flew open, "He is going to FREAK!" she exclaimed.

"I'm sure," Gabrielle continued, "But will he help?"

Aphrodite pursed her lips, "Listen, girls," she said, "You know I love you both…and this bitch Anath… she really deserves an ass kicking….but Ares…..he isn't like he used to be."

Xena's eyes narrowed, "What do you mean?"

"Well, Sweat Pea… you know him…. After you died and well, you know…people just stopped worshipping… he sort of well…"

"He lost it," Gabrielle said calmly.

"Uh yeah….that's an understatement…I'm not sure what he will do when he finds out you are back….I don't even know if that's enough….."

Xena nodded her understanding, "Well, we may have to take that chance."

Gabrielle sighed, "Aphrodite, we are going to head south…but Anath…"

"Say no more," the goddess said. "I will talk to him. It's better if he hears it from me," she said.

Xena agreed. Aphrodite took one of Xena's hands and one of Gabrielle's. She looked at Xena. "She missed you," the goddess said with an honesty and compassion that penetrated Xena. Aphrodite truly loved Gabrielle.

Xena looked at Gabrielle, "I know…I missed her…"

Aphrodite felt as though she might cry herself. "I will do what I can," she promised.

"Thank you," Gabrielle.

"Anything for you, little one," the goddess tightened her grip on both before breaking away and disappearing with a snap of her fingers.

"What do you think?" Xena asked the bard.

"If anyone can reach Ares its Aphrodite," she said. "It's strange, they are so opposite…"

"But he loves her," Xena said, "I know… they are each other's balance."

"Do you think that is why he can love?" Gabrielle pondered.

"Hummm….I don't know. I never thought about that….but yes, probably," Xena said. "Let's just hope he will help."

Gabrielle turned to face the warrior. "Xena…"

Xena looked down at the bard's face. "Hum?"

"Promise me…even if you can't…" Gabrielle stopped and looked at Xena, "Promise me you will meet me in Egypt."

Xena took the bard's face in her hands, "Gabrielle….I have no intention of losing you again…..I need you to believe that."

"I need you," the bard answered.

Xena smiled. Her heart was full. She loved Gabrielle more now than she ever had. It had always been that way, every day that passed seemed to strengthen her feeling for the bard. She could not imagine being without her again. She hated even a day apart, but she would do whatever she had to in order to preserve this second chance. "No," Xena kissed the bard's forehead, "You held this family together – built it…..we need you…..I need you."

Gabrielle looked deeply into the warrior's eyes as their lips met. Her resolve strengthened and she thought to herself, 'Never again."

Aphrodite reached Ares Hall in record time, even for a goddess. He was sitting in his chair blowing up fruit on a table with the flick of his hand and laughing maniacally.

"SIS!" he yelled, "Watch this." He blew up a large melon of some kind… in its new form Aphrodite could hardly tell what it had been.

"This place is disgusting," she said tiptoeing through squashed remnants of various foods, vases and a few things she could not be sure ever had form at all. "What are you doing?" She asked with disgust.

"I am waging a war."

The goddess shook her head. "Ares, I need to talk to you."

Ares just blasted a bunch of cherries across the room.

"Ares!"

"What? – You wanted those cherries?"

Aphrodite sighed. "Listen, will you!... It's Xena."

Ares chuckled in a manner that could frighten any god. "Xena is dead."

"Ummm…. That's the thing…. See….." Aphrodite winced…"She's not…"

Ares looked at his sister. "Dead, Sis….. Dead….ask Gabrielle if you don't believe me…. Been dead."

"Ares, I know… Xena was dead for years.. but now she's not….see?"

Ares got up from his perch on a large padded chair and walked menacingly toward his sister.

"NOT FUNNY."

"I'm not being funny…..She's back… I saw her….It's Baal….."

Ares took his hand now and swiped the reaming fruit on the table across the room with tremendous force.

"Baal brought Xena back?"

Aphrodite sighed, "No….she is back because of him….and Anath…"

Ares anger seemed to grow. Aphrodite wasn't sure if Ares now believed her or not. His descent into madness seemed complete. It wasn't simply losing Xena although that had certainly not helped. Wars were waged, but none were in his name nor required his might now. Zeus and Hades, Artemis and Athena were all gone. They were very much alone… Love and War… people had now learned how to do both without them. Aphrodite had Gabrielle and that had helped her immensely. Ares had Aphrodite. He loved his sister but love, quiet love, selfless love was foreign for him. He could not allow himself that - he was a God or power and strength, chaos and violence. Even his purest emotions were corrupted by those needs. She had caught her brother watching Gabrielle not in an attempt to harm her, but at a distance quietly. She understood Ares better than anyone, ironic perhaps, but true. He never hated the bard. He envied her. She was always strong, she could fight but she could love, completely and selflessly. He understood why Xena loved her. He loved Xena but he couldn't help but marvel at the woman that had captured the warrior's heart. It broke hum further. He could never be, simply by his nature, what he wished to be.

"Ares?" Aphrodite prodded, "Are you all right?"

The God of War sat down on the floor and put his face in his hands. "What does she want?"

"Xena?" the goddess asked.

"Gabrielle, what does she want?" he asked.

"Ares, Xena…"

"I head you," he said. "I have no place with Xena…if she is back."

Aphrodite was shocked at her brother's response, "I thought you'd..."

"Want her back?" he asked. He laughed. "I want her…. I do want her…." He looked at his sister now. Ahe was so beautiful and when she looked at him he felt a sense of calm and balance that he could not feel outside her presence. "I can't get her back…..I never had her."

Aphrodite knew that was true but it was not something she had ever heard Ares admit, at least not to anyone else.

"I will do whatever she needs…tell Gabrielle….."

"Do you want me to tell Xena…."

He held his breath and stood. "Xena is gone," he said. He knew that his sister was telling him the truth. He needed Xena to stay dead….but he knew that she needed him somehow too. "Tell Gabrielle I will do what she needs. I'll find Anath…"

Aphrodite reached for her brother's hand, "Ares…."

He looked at her and for a moment she saw a glimmer of the brother she had once known so well, "Tell Gabrielle that Xena loves her…..and I know why…..I love Xena….But I know why….."

He turned and he disappeared. Aphrodite stood there for a while. She knew. She understood. He needed to do this. This was his time and she suspected she might not see him again. "I love you Ares," she said.

Faintly in the distance she heard his voice, "I love you too, sis."