Xena's blue eyes flickered from one spot to another. Consumed by her thoughts, she was replaying the events that had been transpired earlier. Even as she did so it left her feeling anxious.

Traveling through time was dangerous and risky. They needed to be as discreet as possible, but her mind wouldn't even let her concentrate on her surroundings. It was plagued with Ella's face, Ella's smile, Ella's eyes.

Something…she was missing something. It didn't make any sense. How could it? It just didn't. All the pieces of this puzzle had yet to be uncovered. Xena just feared that when they finally would be…….it would be too late.

As they walked through the forest to where both knew would be a little cabin had both Xena and Gabrielle apprehensive.

Suddenly the sound of a horse galloping in the distance caught their attention. It was one moment…before they realized who it could possibly be. It was instinct that drove both Gabrielle and Xena to run through the woods, towards the distant voices.

As Gabrielle pumped her arms as she ran her heart jumped into her chest. Even as her legs pushed her forward her mind tormented her with what she knew was about to happen.

She would never expect what was about to happen.

After Callisto, Ella had stood at the outskirts of the forest for a small while.

Standing there with a small smile on her face she pictured Xena's face. Wondering how Xena would react when she realized what had just happened.

The thrill Ella felt at the pain she would cause Xena and Livia was something that hardly anyone had ever felt. Even Callisto – who at the moment was following her orders – had never felt this euphoric feeling of satisfaction that coursed through Ella's veins.

A movement in the distance made her smile fall, realizing who was soon to be facing her she readied herself. Taking a deep breath she made herself numb.....cold as ice.....knowing that what she was starting would test her very being...her very nature. But the justice that she.......that her family deserved forced her into this.

Slowly she could see the gleaming of light on armor.........and a pointy hat.

Gabrielle and Xena's eyes stared for only a second before both acted. Both reached for the Chronis stone and soon a portal opened. Aphrodite, Eve, and Virgil scrambled to chase after the duo, not understanding what was going on at all. When Xena and Gabrielle emerged from the portal both didn't stop a beat and began to run. The others followed as quickly as possible, Aphrodite not use to running just stopped and waited to sense where they would stop. Both Eve and Virgil just ran.

As they burst out of the forest they could hear the sound of a galloping horse to there right. Xena knew that it was her...her past self.....trying to get to Gabrielle before Callisto had.

Gabrielle's heart was in her throat.....to relive this day again was a nightmare come to life. It didn't take long for them to reach the top of the hill where they could see the cabin where Gabrielle and Perdicus had spent their wedding night.

"What is she planning?!!" Xena said as her eyes tried to find something out of the ordinary, something that had not been there all those years ago. Gabrielle's heart was hammering. Barely able to breath, she felt the panic almost consume her entirely.

Nothing was making sense. Why would Ella do any of this?

As his face had come into view Ella had felt her heart wrench at the sight of him.

Joxer.

So insignificant to the people around him......but Ella....Ella knew things. Things that no one knew, things from the future and from Gabrielle's scrolls.

Ella knew that Joxer would be here. He had been at Gabrielle's wedding......he had been Perdicus' best man.

She knew just what to do.

But nothing prepared her for the moment his eyes met hers.

When he saw her he froze and just stared. Nervous and slightly frightened at the sight of a woman standing and staring at you with no one else around for miles.

"Um.....(swallowing nervously) hello?!"

Joxer looked at the woman before him......the woman was beautiful but......oddly......Joxer didn't feel attracted to her. Something inside him had immediately told him that something wasn't right. She almost seemed like she had been waiting for him but.......but the look on her face showed such shock.

Slowly the woman's face slowly formed a small smile......and......and this look on her face.......such an odd look.

"Hi...." Ella almost whispered the word out.

Joxer remained a little nervous, seeing that the woman had a sword hilt sticking up from behind her.

Ella had to shake herself out of her behavior.

"I'm....I'm sorry.....I just......I know who you are and......it's (then staring directly into his eyes she spoke sincerely)...it's an honor and a privilege. I respect you immensely."

Now many knew Joxer to be ego-driven......but the way this girl spoke to him......the way she said she knew he was....it.......it made him feel like she really did.

Still Joxer remained quiet, waiting for the woman to speak.

Ella's eyes just continued to stare into Joxer's. She wanted him to understand that she wasn't lying...she wasn't conning him...she was just going to tell him.....that she knew.

"I know who you really are. I know who your real mother is."

She let the information soak in. Watched the brown pools slowly lighten as the realization to her words dawned on him.

"I know who your family is.....and I know that when I tell you that what I'm about to ask you will change history."

Joxer stared at the girl with a seriousness that few had seen. "Why are you telling me this? What do you want?"

Ella's eyes didn't fall away from his.....instead she walked up closer to him.

Joxer remained stock-still, not frightened...but unsure of what to do.

Ella was few feet away now.

Joxer could see her eyes now......brown with green flecks......and something......something so familiar about them.

Ella stood there trying to get the words out.......trying to do what she wanted.......and fighting the hardest thing she had ever done.

Swallowing down the clog in her throat she finally spoke her request.

"I.....I need you.....to sacrifice yourself....... in Perdicus' place."

Aphrodite appeared next to Xena and Gabrielle. "Are they here?" She asked.

Xena just continued to stare in front of her when her eyes found the sight of Callisto riding on horseback down to where Gabrielle's cabin lay.

Gabrielle stared without being able to turn away as she watched her past self walkout into the day with Perdicus right with her. Not knowing that she was crying Eve beside her spoke softly..."Maybe it's better if your not here."

"No." Gabrielle cut her off immediately.

Gabrielle swallowed down the lump in her throat. "I...I need to be here."

And it began......in front of their very eyes.

Perdicus placed himself in front of his Gabrielle.....Callisto was off her horse.

Xena and Gabrielle braced themselves.....they knew what would happen soon.

Gabrielle watched with tear filled eyes as she saw herself kissing Perdicus. Closing her eyes she knew what would happen next. Callisto would soon dismount her horse......Perdicus would push her behind him and go towards Callisto. She opened her eyes and watched as Callisto swung her sword slicing Perdicus, then kick him aside. She watched Callisto kick her past self down and stood above her ready to plunge the sword down.

Xena stared as she watched history repeat itself. Watched as she rode in just in time to kick Callisto back. Watched as she stood down Callisto and then began to fight. Suddenly thought something caught her eye. Her eyes caught light shining from metal. It took seconds to realize what it was. Who it was.

"Joxerwasn'tthere." Xena said as her heart suddenly was in her throat and her legs began to run as fast as she had ever run in her life. Gabrielle didn't know what was happening, turning and staring where Xena was running.

And her eyes caught it. The stupid armor...the stupid hat......it took seconds for her to realize he shouldn't be there......he wasn't.......

Gabrielle found herself running down the hill, fast enough to catch up with Xena. Virgil and Eve were right behind her. Virgil not understanding what was going on and Eve just as confused.

But Aphrodite.......Aphrodite stood on the hill with her eyes glued on Joxer as he neared the cabin, felt her heart shudder as a tear rolled down her rosy cheek. Another tear rolled down her face because....because she knew what meant......she had felt it before....knew what was about to change......and knew that she couldn't stop it from happening and turned her eyes away and closed them.

Xena was so close, but before she could reach him he was next to Perdicus as he began to get up. Gabrielle right beside her watched as Joxer pushed Perdicus back down. Both women watched as Joxer stood in front of Callisto, no weapon in hand...no fear in his stance, just a tear in his eye.

And both were confused, until Callisto was twisted around by a kick. Neither of them could have done nothing as Callisto twirled around and looked down at Perdicus and then at Joxer. Neither of them expected her to stop one second with shock on her face and then blink as she ran with a scream and buried her sword into Joxer's heart.

As it happened...Aphrodite gasped out and fell to her knees as she held a hand over her heart. And Xena and Gabrielle felt themselves scream out in horror as there legs burned as they increased there speed. Virgil watched as the sword buried into his father's chest for the second time in his life. His anguished yell of 'No' echoed throughout the valley.

Before they could make it Callisto pulled back one second and whispered something to Joxer and then within a blink of an eye had sliced his throat open. Before Xena could summersault down to prevent anything Joxer's blood spilled over the sand.

Their past selves spotted them and hadn't even rushed towards Joxer, but as Xena and Gabrielle reached Joxer they slowly approached.

Xena placed Joxer in her lap covering her hands in his blood. Quickly she gauged his wounds. Joxer was gasping blood, unaware of his surroundings, of Xena's touch, of any sounds. As Gabrielle dropped down beside him and saw all the blood...saw him dying on the ground for the second time in her life, all she could do was mumble 'no'. Gabrielle quickly tore a piece of cloth from Joxer's clothing and tried to press down on his wounds, stop the bleeding that drenched through the cloth as if it was nothing. Gabrielle watched Joxer's eyes as she began to cry.

Xena cried as she stared in shock as Joxer's gasps of air slowed.

Virgil skid down the slope of sand and reached his father. "DAD! Dad...." Virgil held his father's hand, already crying as he realized what was happening.

Gabrielle leaned down, staring into Joxer's face, whispering in tears "this isn't suppose to happen.....how did this happen?"

Xena just held Joxer in her arms, felt the last breaths that he took.....and watched as her tears splashed down into his hair.

Gabrielle watched as Joxer's lips stopped moving as his breaths began to still. Gabrielle stared into his face. Tears blurring her vision....but then...then she realized what had just happened.

"No. NO!!" Gabrielle's yells echoed through the valley. Her head swiveled to stare at the man she had called husband, standing up and bleeding......staring at her in disbelief.

And she realized.......Joxer had saved Perdicus.

Her head swiveled back to Joxer and she leaned over him towards his face.

"Don't you dare die on me...... DON'T YOU DIE ON ME JOXER!!!"

Gabrielle began to pull him into her arms and away from Xena.

Gabrielle's arms wound around Joxer's frame, and placed his head against her shoulder, imitating the way she had held him when he had been poisoned.

"Come on Joxer! Breathe for me Joxer!!" Gabrielle cried as she tilted his forehead towards her and held him tightly against her as she spoke to him.

"Come on Joxer...come on...breathe for me...." Gabrielle rocked him in her hold, letting herself cry as she felt an emptiness fill her......felt the life inside her slip away......like the breathe of life had left Joxer's body.

Xena's eyes were closed as tears slipped down her face. She just had her friend die in her arms....she hadn't been able to save him. And hearing Gabrielle only made it worse......because Joxer was dead.

"Gabrielle.." Xena whispered, still not opening her eyes.

Gabrielle continued to rock Joxer, unaware of Virgil watching with tears streaming down his face too.

"Gabrielle.....he's gone." Xena whispered.

"No!" Gabrielle sobbed as she rocked him harder.

"He doesn't die here......he's not gone."

Xena opened her eyes and found herself looking at her past self......who looked at her in shock. Slowing realizing that the past Gabrielle was staring at her future self with saddened eyes, and Perdicus still stood off to the side......unmoving, staring down at the man that had saved his life.

It took everything she had.....but Xena pulled herself together, she looked over at Gabrielle.....slowly she tried to pull Joxer's body away from Gabrielle.

Gabrielle hit Xena's hand violently and yelled "NO!!"

Gabrielle's green eyes glinted violently at Xena's blues.

"What's going on?" Xena's past self asked as both Xena and Gabrielle looked up.

Virgil couldn't stand the sight of his dead father one second more, he stood and began to run. Eve had been standing away from everything....away from the pain that her soul had inflicted......but as Virgil stood and began to run.......she ran after him.

Gabrielle continued to rock Joxer her eyes looking hollowly at the bloodied sand in front of her. She didn't notice her past self sit right next to her. But Gabrielle felt fingers on her elbow....and turned and stared into the younger face of herself.

The Gabrielle's stared into each other's eyes, not speaking with words......but her younger self read the older one's eyes. Read things that had never been said or spoken.......understood that the man that lay dead on the ground.......meant something more to her......than she could ever imagine.

Gabrielle finally looked away from herself and down at the man who had saved not just her life......but now the life of the husband she had lost.....and now.....as she realized she would never hear his laugh....never be annoyed by his stupid stories.....never have him say three little words to her...........she.................she just couldn't accept it.

And that's when the sound of laughter filled their ears. Gabrielle remembered the sound. And rage filled her as she turned her head, along with everyone else........and stared at a laughing Ella.

Ella continued to laugh as she saw the scene.

"Awwww, poor little Gabrielle's husband gets saved....and she's still sooo saaaddd." Ella said and then continued to laugh.

Gabrielle slowly removed Joxer from her arms and stood as she felt a rage that had rivaled this very day's events all those years ago. Xena had seen the look in Gabrielle's eyes as she stood and quickly stood herself, grabbing Gabrielle's arm before she did anything foolish.

Ella smiled and said "EWWW! Is warrior bard Gabrielle angry that her useless friend is dead."

And even though Xena had a hold on her Gabrielle still tried to lunge for Ella, feeling her hands slip down to her sais she unsheathed them and was trying desperately to get out of Xena's hold.

The sight only made Ella laugh. And the laughter only inflamed Gabrielle's fury even more.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT??!!" Xena yelled at Ella.

"WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS???" Xena asked as she continued to struggle with Gabrielle.

Ella's eyes flashed and yelled out "TO TORTURE YOU!!!" The words made Gabrielle stop struggling as the snarl that had been on her face slid from her face......her mind finally reminding her that she had spent time with Ella....and that none of what had been happening was making any sense....until now.

"Why?" Gabrielle finally managed.

A snarl formed on Ella's lips. "She still hasn't told you.....has she?"

The word 'she' almost spat out of Ella's mouth.

Ella just glared at them and then turned and looked up on the hill......to where Aphrodite stood. Ella could feel Aphrodite trying to read her mind.....she just smirked.

"Oh no......it's not going to be that easy." She said, knowing Aphrodite could hear her.

Turning back to Xena she then laid eyes on Gabrielle. Slowly she let her hand slip into a large pocket to her side, Xena let go of Gabrielle and drew her sword. Ella smiled in response.

Ella pulled the item out held it up in front of her with two fingers.

Gabrielle stared at the object.

It was the necklace that Joxer had bought for her.....but it was fixed. Gabrielle was confused. She looked into Ella's eyes. And suddenly she remembered the night that the necklace had broke, remembered the way Ella had seemed truly sorry for what she had done.

"I told you I'd get it fixed." Ella said simply.

Gabrielle stood shocked. The rage that had been inside her had dwindled away, replaced with a confusion that seemed to increase as time passed. Neither Xena nor Gabrielle moved to attain the necklace. Ella let out a sigh, her eyes twitching to the form of Perdicus.

"Hey Perdicus! You mind handing this to your wife?"

The request was met with trepidation.

Ella of course smirked.

"Believe me if I wanted you dead you would be. No tricks. Just give it to her."

Perdicus approached slowly, looking up into Ella's eyes. Ella tilted her head and nodded. Perdicus reached up and took the necklace, observing it for a second, before slowly backing up - not turning his back on Ella for a second. He reached Gabrielle and finally turned to stare at her for a few brief seconds, seconds where she herself stared into his face. Slowly he handed her the necklace...and then stepped aside.

Ella's eyes were only on Gabrielle.

"Now......Now I give you a choice."

Gabrielle's eyes furrowed, not understanding.

Ella knew the look, and simply said, "I owe you."

Ella's eyes then twitched to Xena and then back to Gabrielle. "I will give you this one gift, and one alone."

Gabrielle said nothing, not knowing what to say at all. Feeling like the woman in front of her still held the girl she had been traveling with. Feeling like she wasn't seeing whom Ella truly was at all.

Ella's eyes pierced into Gabrielle's.

"Choose Gabrielle......today you gained the husband you lost back...and lost but a friend. Choose if you want your beloved Perdicus to live......or for history to repeat itself."

"It's a trick Gabrielle, how can she undo what's already been done!" Xena tried to spare her friend the decision and reason with her.

Ella's eyes flashed with hate.

"I WAS THE ONE TO TELL CALLISTO TO KILL HIM!!" Ella yelled out.

Xena and Gabrielle stared in shock at Ella.

"I was the one to tell Joxer to take Perdicus' place." Ella said quietly

"I'll tell you the exact place I entered this time......all of this will never have happened."

Gabrielle just stared shocked at Ella. Stared into eyes that had been so full of laughter and merriment......saw the hidden anger within her. And even as she did she knew her answer, knew that her greatest wish had come true.....and knowing that the cost was too high.

Xena's eyes had stayed on Ella for the few brief seconds after she spoke, but then turned to Gabrielle fearing what her choice would be. And it seemed like Gabrielle didn't have to think. Didn't need to battle with herself, didn't even need to look to Xena for advice......because she responded almost instantly.

"Let it repeat itself."

At this Ella's eyes almost seemed to gleam. "Really!? No need to look at the man himself? No need to assure yourself that life without him it wouldn't be better!(Voice becoming louder) More Fulfilling, A DREAM COME TRUE!!!" Ella's eyes blazed with anger.

Gabrielle closed her eyes and let the two tears fall from her eyes.

How many nights had dreamed of this moment, how many times in life had she blamed herself for his death. But then an image came into her head. It was Joxer's smiling face. The way he smiled at her as she bandaged his arm. The look in his eyes as he told her that he loved her. The laughs they had shared......the way that he had said that he would have to just deal with her not loving him.

As Gabrielle opened her eyes to stare at Ella's she knew that Joxer's life was more important then her happiness. Joxer had had a family. A beautiful son that would be a bard...and an incredible person......like his father.

Gabrielle's eyes locked with Ella's once more...and whispered out the words this time, "Let it repeat itself."

Ella's eyes dulled slightly, and with a slight nod she turned and began to walk away. "I came through four hours ago." Ella said as she continued to walk away. "In the field behind you."

Then Ella stopped at turned around.

"I said that I would let you choose......I never said I wouldn't try again. I'd move before I change my mind."

Gabrielle didn't need to be told again. She immediately turned and began to run up towards Aphrodite. Xena following close behind.

Ella watched them leave and then turned and stared at the people of the past stare at her....not moving....not understanding what had just occurred. Xena's past self just stared at her, as if she wanted to remember her face.

Ella just smirked at the woman. One thought running through her head.

You never even knew I existed.

Virgil's legs finally gave out, and he crashed to the ground. The tears cascading down his face as his has filled with sand and he gripped it and squeezed with all the strength he fell right behind him and immediately began to caress the back of his head.

"It's not your fault." She whispered. Knowing that she was the reason for his pain, and knowing that she could do nothing but hold him.

Virgil couldn't stop crying, gasping for breathe and feeling as though he was cursed.

Whispering he asked out loud, "Is this my curse?.......Am I suppose to see my father die over and over?"

Eve felt a tear fall down her face, her arm around his back trying to hold him as best she could.

Virgil's mind replayed the event over and over......haunting him. His head was hung low, eyes closed as he continued to cry, his tears finding the sand below him. He hurt soo much. It was too much.

Eve felt her heart wrench as she felt his whole body shake with the silent sobs that wracked his body. Wanting to take away his pain and bare it all herself......if she could spare this man any more pain she would gladly do it. It was her soul that caused it......and she alone should bare the agony of its actions.

She let herself cry and kiss the nape of his neck, letting herself remember the moment she turned and plunged her sword into brown sad eyes. Eyes that she knew would forever haunt her. It was her curse. Forgiving herself didn't mean that she would ever forget - and that......was a curse.

They didn't stay alone for long. Suddenly in a flash of pink they found themselves with company. Slowly and with another kiss to the nape of the back of his neck, she withdrew her embrace.

Xena said nothing as they found Virgil on the ground, with a dark puddle of sand beneath him. Xena's heart tightened as she remembered the look on his face as they had covered his father's body, looking up she found her own daughters face streaked with tears and knew exactly what she must be feeling at the moment.

Wither her eyes moist she met her daughters' eyes and motioned for her with a slight flick of her head.

Eve didn't need any further encouragement. Raising herself up she almost threw herself against her mother's embrace. Having missed it in the years since she had been gone. Allowing herself the luxury of taking comfort in her arms, she felt her mother kiss the top of her head and lead her slowly away.

Gabrielle though……Gabrielle felt as though her heart was breaking as she witnessed Virgil breaking down in front of her eyes.

A tear fell down her face as she closed her eyes and tilted her head down. Letting out a heavy sigh she braced herself.

Xena and Eve moved away a few seconds later……and Gabrielle was left alone to deal with Virgil.

But she couldn't move – couldn't speak, and when she tried……nothing came out.

Instead……she slowly began to lower herself to ground. When she was finally down she looked over at Virgil, still not able to see his eyes. Slowly she crawled over to him and tried to lift his head.

His hand slapping hers away with such a violent display of anger shocked her…but only for a second. Only because once in her life she had watched the one she love die in front of her…and knew exactly how the sadness melts……and the anger fills you.

Again she tried to touch him and again he slapped her hand away. And soon it became a scuffle as Virgil tried to keep her away from him and Gabrielle just wouldn't have it.

Finally lifting his head he tried to block her hands but Gabrielle only tried harder to touch him. The look in his eyes making her heart feel as though it were shattered.

When he began to struggle more violently she just threw herself onto him and hugged him to her as tight as she could.

He tried to pull away even as Gabrielle tightened her hold. Virgil's eyes were red as the tears pored out from deep within and the anger increased. But through his anger Gabrielle just squeezed her eyes shut as she knew what was to come.

And it did……and it was almost her undoing.

Virgil began to yell at her.

"I HATE YOU!! I HATE YOU!! I HATE YOU!!!"

Gabrielle's eyes opened as she held onto him with all the strength she had……and the next words he said…the words he said…..they……they made her break.

"WHY DID HAVE TO LOVE YOU MORE THAN ME??!!! WHY??!!! WHY??!!!!!!"

Virgil's tortured screams made her start to shake, made her tears flow harder….made her understand that he blamed HER! That after all was said and done…….Joxer's son knew that Joxer had charged Livia to save her……because he would do anything for her……no matter the cost.

Gabrielle began to slowly rock them both as Virgil continued to lower the cries of his 'why's', as she slowly let his head rest between her chin and shoulder. And the shift was almost worrying.

Gabrielle was soon supporting both of them as Virgil slumped against her as he began to sob again. And Gabrielle silently cried with him, rocking him now, her arms around his shoulders and holding his head to her.

"Shhh. It's ok……it's ok." Gabrielle whispered to him, kissing the side of his forehead and realizing that even though he was a man……he was still Joxer's little boy.

And she rocked him like he was little boy.

Virgil's tears soon began to turn into sniffling.

Gabrielle again kissed he side of his forehead, and closed her eyes – then let out a breath.

Opening her eyes she stared into the sand in front of them.

Then she spoke, the words murmured against the side of Virgil's head…and said with everything she had in her heart.

"Your father loved you more than anything in this world."

Virgil said nothing, just letting out a huge breathe. Gabrielle moved her mouth away so she could speak better……so he could hear her better. Her voice gruff from all of the crying…and all of the emotions in her body, the moisture in her eyes welling once more as she spoke.

"I don't blame you for hating me. I can't!"

Gabrielle sniffled as she fought back the tears, wanting Virgil to understand she meant what she was saying.

"But don't you ever think that your father loved me more than you."

Virgil let the tears fall without moving, just letting them roll as all the anger in him drained away.

Gabrielle then moved herself away slightly and took Virgil's head between her hands.

"He wanted you to have everything that he never could! (Caressing his hair back from his face) He wanted you to learn…to be skilled and to have things he never could."

Virgil looked up into Gabrielle's eyes……seeing a sadness there that he had never seen before.

"It's ok if you hate me. It's ok if you never want to see my face again……but I want you to know that I knew from the way he introduced you to us. (suddenly a smile came across her face) from the way his eyes lit up and the pride in his voice…he loved you more than you could ever imagine."

The words made Virgil close his eyes and lower his head as he sniffled.

Gabrielle's heart almost stopped as she looked at Virgil……he looked so much like Joxer at the moment it hurt.

"Your father loved you more than he could ever love me……because you were his son. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise." Gabrielle whispered the last sentence.

Virgil slowly nodded his head. Gabrielle running her hand through his hair to straighten his hair out. It was sticking up in the way Joxer's use to.

Virgil felt the comforted by the way Gabrielle caressed his hair. It made him feel like when he was a child and sick…and his mother would caress his hair when he was sick.

Gabrielle wiped away the remaining tears on Virgil's face, and spoke softly to him.

"Virgil….I need you to be strong right now. I know you feel like everything is falling apart…………..but I won't let you give up. Your father never gave up……and I'm not about to let you start."

Virgil nodded his head in a serious fashion.

"We have to go." Gabrielle spoke softly, and slowly began to move. Virgil slowly got up along with her. Continuing to sniffle and now trying to wipe the evidence of his cry away with the backs of his arms.

"Xena probably thinks I'm weak now." Virgil's voice came softly as he continued to sniffle and clean himself up.

Gabrielle stared at him for just a second before reaching into a small pocket and slowly reaching up and moving Virgil's hands away as she wiped at his face for the second time in a week.

The action actually caused Virgil to smile bashfully.

"Your not weak……and don't think about what Xena thinks. Just be you……don't ever feel ashamed for being yourself."

Virgil kept the smile on him face, his eyes twitched from his own hands to her face.

He acted so much like his father at the moment that Gabrielle had to push back tears.

"Thank you Gabrielle." And with that he looked up at her face.

And with emotion in her voice she said…."You never need to thanking me for anything. Your part of my family."

Virgil laughed and then looked down as he suddenly felt himself about to cry again. Gabrielle leaned up and pressed a kiss to his forehead, closing her eyes and letting herself pretend for just one second….letting herself imagine that he wasn't just family……that Meg wasn't his mother…..that……that….she let the fantasy go….pulling away and slowly whispering "Let's go."

Ella watched Virgil and Gabrielle leave with Xena and Eve that waited for them in the distance. Ella swallowed the lump in her throat……allowed herself to feel something for Virgil….but only for a second.

"Everything seems to be going perfectly." Nemesis said from beside Ella.

Ella just watched the portal close…knowing that she would soon fade.

"For now. As soon as I see them I'll know that everything has gone perfectly. Just make sure that Livia and Virgil don't see me."

Nemesis smiled and smirked.

"You know they call her Eve now."

Ella's eyes darkened.

"I call her abomination."

"They might say that about you."

The words caused Ella to turn and stare at Nemesis with a cold glare that rivaled a god's.

"I was made into what I am. That's why I feel more for Callisto than for Xena."

At this Nemesis quirked her head to the side with a curious look. Ella just turned her head as she watched as the portal swallowed the travelers through.

"Xena lost only a brother…….Callisto lost everything. Why does Xena get absolved of all the crimes she's committed while Callisto – who has no mother – no father – no one to help her through the darkness….

Ella didn't finish, instead she then turned back to Nemesis just in time, as she began to fade into nothing…..but her last words leaving their mark on Nemesis.

"…who is the one that deserves more than the world gave her?"

Nemesis stared at the empty space beside her with sadness in her heart.

With the more she knew Ella……the more she saw the beauty in her soul…the light that shined brightly within her had dwindled down like a fire without air, and all Nemesis…a Goddess of the old world could do…was let one tear fall.

Turning around Nemesis opened a portal…and went to find Ella's brother's and sisters. Soon enough…she would need them.